| dc.description.abstract | Additive manufacturing is a field seeing constant innovation. This thesis looks at the mechanical properties and microstructure of a Binder Jet Printing (BJP) technology using the stainless steel alloy 17-4 PH. 17-4 PH is a precipitation hardenable steel. Specimen have been tested in the As-printed, H900 and H1150 condition. Hardness, Charpy V-notch CVN and Tensile testing were performed on the sample. The microstructure was studied using light optical microscope LOM and scanning electron microscope SEM. The fractured surface after CVN and tensile testing were studied using SEM. Hardness testing was performed inn the three axes, and seemed to suggest that the material is isotropic. The as- sintered microstructure was heavily influenced by the sintering process. Large particles were seen, particularly adjacent to pores and at grain boundaries. They are though to be detrimental to the mechanical properties as suggested by the fractography. The H1150 was the most ductile of all the conditions, it also displayed the highest CVN-toughness and low strainrate toughness. H900 showed the greatest ultimate strength and had slightly longer elongation than the as-printed, but showed very low CVN resistance. It was concluded that longer solution treatment might result in better mechanical properties, as it reduces the amount of retained δ-ferrite and dissolves the large particles. | |
