Microstructure and mechanical properties of cold metal transfer arc additive manufactured 304 stainless steel

Arc additive manufacturing of stainless steel based on cold metal transfer with different deposit rate was carried out. Tensile tests of different locations of the components were conducted and the fracture morphology was analyzed,and microstructure of the component was discussed. Results indicate that arc additive manufacturing based on cold metal transfer is a feasible metal additive manufacturing process. Yield strength and tensile strength of one component along horizontal direction are higher than that along the vertical direction due to the nonuniform microstructure of the components along the vertical direction. With higher deposit rate,the heat input increases,the secondary dendrite arm spacing in the fusion zone increases,and the tensile strength decreases.