The strain rate history effect in a selective-laser-melt 316L stainless steel

Abstract

The strain rate history effect in a selective laser melt 316L (SLM-316L) alloy was investigated through quasi-static (10−3 s−1) and high strain rate (1600-3200 s−1) interrupted and reloading compression tests. The specimens pre-tested until about prescribed strains at quasi-static and high strain rates were reloaded dynamically and quasi-statically, respectively. The results revealed that the flow stress depended on strain and strain rate as well as strain-rate history. Quasi-static reloading the dynamically pre-tested specimens until about prescribed strains induced a higher flow stress than the specimens tested quasi-statically. The strengthening was ∼70 MPa at 0.11 pre-strain and decreased as the dynamic test pre-strain was increased due to adiabatic heating. On the other side, reloading the quasi-statically pre-tested specimens dynamically at 0.11 pre-strain resulted in ∼60 MPa lower flow stress than the specimens tested dynamically. The grains of the quasi-statically tested specimens until 0.11 strain were shown to have a lower Taylor factor for twinning and geometrically necessary dislocation density, indicating more potential for twinning than dynamically tested specimen. Although, quasi-statically and dynamically tested specimens were deformed predominantly by the twinning induced plasticity, a higher fraction of twin boundaries was shown microscopically in the dynamically pre-tested specimens until 0.11 pre-strain. This phenomenon of boundary strengthening could be used as a tool of strengthening of SLM-316L alloy at low strains.