Magnetic Properties and Structure of Products from 1.4540 Stainless Steel Manufactured by 3D Printing

Magnetic properties and structure of the 1.4540 (S15500) stainless steel products manufactured by additive technology using the selective laser melting method (SLM) were studied. The structure of the SLM alloy differs from the conventional 1.4540 stainless steel. The volume fraction of austenite of 34% is found in the SLM sample. After solution treatment, the austenite is not observed. The martensitic thin plates and precipitations are observed in both as-build and solutionized samples. The solution treatment at standard temperature of 1038°C can be successfully used for the SLM 1.4540 steel products. Magnetic properties of the SLM 1.4540 stainless steel allow considering this material as applicable for soft-magnetic applications requiring high strength and high corrosion resistance.