Compressive and Tensile Stress–Strain Responses of Additively Manufactured (AM) 304L Stainless Steel at High Strain Rates

Additively manufactured 304L stainless steel with different build orientations and post-manufacturing processes was dynamically characterized in compression and tension at various high strain rates (~500, 1500, and 3000 s−1) using Kolsky bar techniques. Wrought 304L stainless steel with a similar chemical composition as the additively manufactured material was also characterized at the same strain rates. The AM material exhibited higher yield and flow stresses in compression when the specimen strain is smaller than 0.3. In dynamic tension, the AM material also possessed higher yield and flow stresses but lower elongations to failure than the wrought material at all the strain rates tested. Depending on post processing and anisotropy, the high-rate yield strength of the AM 304L material is increased by 20–35%, compared to the yield strength of the wrought material.