Research

Material Sciences

Title :

Grain boundary engineering for austenitic stainless steel processed by selective laser melting

Area of research :

Material Sciences

Focus area :

Grain Boundary Engineering Techniques

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, CSIR- National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand (831007)

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

This project aims to develop methods for modifying the microstructure of additive technology products from medical austenitic stainless steel to ensure high fatigue and anti-corrosion properties. The aim is to improve the performance characteristics of biomedical implants. The project consists of three work packages: evaluating processing regimes for experimental samples, developing heat treatment methods, and evaluating mechanical properties. The results will include the relationship between 3-D printing parameters and key product characteristics, the mechanisms controlling the formation of microstructure during selective laser melting, and the optimal regime for producing a recrystallized material with maximum content of annealing twin boundaries. The project aims to contribute to technological breakthroughs and elevate the level of production in high-tech industries. The study involves creating 3-D printed test blocks of 316-type stainless steel and performing thermal treatments to achieve the desired GBE microstructure. Microstructural features are analyzed using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and five-parameter stereological analysis. Corrosion tests are conducted on the specimens, using simulated body fluids for biocompatibility. Fatigue crack growth rate is evaluated, and samples are fatigue precracked according to ASTM-E1820 standards. The study aims to correlate corrosion responses with microstructural features.

Co-PI:

Dr. Sumanta Kumar Pradhan, CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand (831007)

Total Budget (INR):

64,35,366

Organizations involved