Influence of Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT) on Microstructure, Tensile and Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel 316L

Direct Energy Deposition (DED), as one common type of additive manufacturing, is capable of fabricating metallic components close to net-shape with complex geometry. Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is an advanced surface treatment technology which is able to yield a nanostructured surface layer characterized by compressive residual stresses and work hardening, thereby improving the fatigue performances of metallic specimens. In the present study, stainless steel 316L specimens were fabricated by DED and subsequently surface treated by SMAT. Both uniaxial tensile tests and uniaxial tension-compression low-cycle fatigue tests were conducted for as-built and SMAT processed specimens. The microstructure of both conditions was characterized by roughness and hardness measurements, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. After SMAT, nanocrystallites and microtwins were found in the top surface layer. These microstructural features contribute to superior properties of the treated surfaces. Finally, it can be concluded that the mechanical performance of additively manufactured steel under static and fatigue loading can be improved by the SMAT process.