Research Progress of Laser Additive Manufacturing of Maraging Steels

Additive manufacture is recognized as a world-altering technology which triggered a world-wide intensive research interest. Here the research progress and application of the laser additive manufacturing maraging steel (MS) are systematically outlined. The advantages of selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacture of MS is emphasized. The processing parameter and properties optimizations, build orientation based anisotropies, age hardening mechanism, gradient materials, and applications in die and moulds of SLM-processed MS are reviewed in detail. Achieving relative density of >99% in SLM-processed MS is effortless, owing to the wide SLM process window of MS. Mechanical properties of MS produced with optimized SLM processing parameters and post heat treatments are comparable to traditionally wrought parts. The build orientation hardly affects the property anisotropies of MS. The age hardening behaviour in MS follows Orowan bowing mechanism. MS-based gradient multi-materials (such as MS-Cu, MS-H13, etc.) with high bonding strength are fabricated by SLM, which provides a new approach to produce high-performance functionally gradient multi-materials components. Lastly, the application in conformal cooling moulds of SLM-processed MS is elucidated, and future research interests related to MS are also proposed.