Magnetic and mechanical properties of 316L/410L/316L sandwich structure produced by direct energy deposition

Additive manufacturing (AM) has made significant achievements in traditional production over the past decade, offering competitive advantages for 3D printed products and creating new opportunities for various industries. One promising area of AM is the use of new materials and alloys in joint printing of multiple materials with varying chemical compositions to achieve gradient properties distribution. However, in-situ 3D printing of such multimaterials is a challenging task due to technological limitations and differences in physical properties of feedstock materials. This study examines the joint printability of ferromagnetic 410 L and paramagnetic 316 L steels using direct energy deposition (DED), and analyses the effect of post-treatment on sample properties. It is shown that the choice of optimal heat treatment mode can improve the mechanical properties of one steel and not affect the change of phase composition and microhardness of the other. The printed sandwich 316 L/410 L/316 L structure demonstrated strong bonding and mechanical properties, primarily determined by the properties of 316 L. Compare to 316 L sample with weak magnetic properties, magnetic saturation of 410 L fabricated steel exceeding 170 emu/g indicates strong ferromagnetic properties of this material. The combination these materials can be utilized in designing and fabricating various sensors or electric engines. [Display omitted] •Direct Energy Deposition of 410 L/316 L Steel Alloys.•In-situ Fabrication of Functionally Graded Materials.•Heat Treatment of Functionally Graded 410 L/316 L Steel.•Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of 410 L and 316 L Stainless Steel.•Saturation Magnetization and Magnetic Domain Analysis in As-Built and Heat-Treated 410 L Stainless Steel.