Preliminary Process and Microstructure Examination of Flux-Cored Wire Arc Additive Manufactured 18Ni-12Co-4Mo-Ti Maraging Steel

The production of large-size elements using additive manufacturing is a constantly evolving field that includes technological and material solutions. There is a need for a detailed analysis of the process and the products thus manufactured. In line with this trend, the flux-cored wire arc additive manufactured process and the part made of 18Ni-12Co-4Mo-Ti maraging steel were examined. The interpass temperature below 150 °C, the variation of the starting point and the gas flow of 12 L/min with a pre-flow of 2 s ensure the correct shape of the layers. The manufactured part underwent chemical composition analysis, macro- and microscopic examination and hardness measurements; in addition thermodynamic calculations were performed. The part is divided into a light-etched area (bottom part of the sample) with a hardness of 375 ± 12 HV10 and a dark-etched area (top part of the sample) with a hardness of 525 ± 11 HV10. Microscopic observations in the last layers showed supersaturated martensite with primary precipitates of μ-phase intermetallic compounds in intercellular spaces. In the earlier layers aging martensite with austenite and primary precipitates of intermetallic compounds were revealed. The share of austenite was 11.435 ± 1.313%.