The evolution of microstructures with thermal cycles was studied for wire-arc additive manufacturing of duplex stainless steel blocks. To produce samples, arc energy of 0.5 kJ/mm and interlayer temperature of 150 °C were used as low heat input–low interlayer temperature (LHLT) and arc energy of 0.8 kJ/mm and interlayer temperature of 250 °C as high heat input–high interlayer temperature (HHHT). Thermal cycles were recorded with different thermocouples attached to the substrate as well as the built layers. The microstructure was analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that a similar geometry was produced with 14 layers—4 beads in each layer—for LHLT and 15 layers—3 beads in each layer—for HHHT. Although the number of reheating cycles was higher for LHLT, each layer was reheated for a shorter time at temperatures above 600 °C, compared with HHHT. A higher austenite fraction (+ 8%) was achieved for as-deposited LHLT beads, which experienced faster cooling between 1200 and 800 °C. The austenite fraction of the bulk of additively manufactured samples, reheated several times, was quite similar for LHLT and HHHT samples. A higher fraction of secondary phases was found in the HHHT sample due to longer reheating at a high temperature. In conclusion, an acceptable austenite fraction with a low fraction of secondary phases was obtained in the bulk of wire-arc additively manufactured duplex stainless steel samples (35–60%), where higher austenite fractions formed with a larger number of reheating cycles as well as longer reheating at high peak temperatures (800–1200 °C).

Sigma phase is commonly considered to be the most deleterious secondary phase precipitating in duplex stainless steels, as it results in an extreme reduction of corrosion resistance and toughness. Previous studies have mainly focused on the kinetics of sigma phase precipitation and influences on properties and only a few works have studied the morphology of sigma phase and its influences on material properties. Therefore, the influence of sigma phase morphology on the degradation of corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of 2507 super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) was studied after 10 h of arc heat treatment using optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction analysis, corrosion testing, and thermodynamic calculations. A stationary arc was applied on the 2507 SDSS disc mounted on a water-cooled chamber, producing a steady-state temperature gradient covering the entire temperature range from room temperature to the melting point. Sigma phase was the major intermetallic precipitating between 630 °C and 1010 °C and its morphology changed from blocky to fine coral-shaped with decreasing aging temperature. At the same time, the average thickness of the precipitates decreased from 2.9 µm to 0.5 µm. The chemical composition of sigma was similar to that predicted by thermodynamic calculations when formed at 800–900 °C, but deviated at higher and lower temperatures. The formation of blocky sigma phase introduced local strain in the bulk of the primary austenite grains. However, the local strain was most pronounced in the secondary austenite grains next to the coral-shaped sigma phase precipitating at lower temperatures. Microstructures with blocky and coral-shaped sigma phase particles were prone to develop microscale cracks and local corrosion, respectively. Local corrosion occurred primarily in ferrite and in secondary austenite, which was predicted by thermodynamic calculations to have a low pitting resistance equivalent. To conclude, the influence of sigma phase morphology on the degradation of properties was summarized in two diagrams as functions of the level of static load and the severity of the corrosive environment.

Super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) weld metal microstructures, covering the complete temperature range from ambient to liquidus, were produced by arc heat treatment for 1 and 10 min. Temperature modeling and thermodynamic calculations complemented microstructural studies, hardness mapping and sensitization testing. After 1 min, intermetallics such as sigma and chi phase had precipitated, resulting in moderate sensitization at 720–840 °C. After 10 min, larger amounts of intermetallics resulted in hardness up to 400 HV0.5 and more severe sensitization at 580–920 °C. Coarse and fine secondary austenite precipitated at high and low temperatures, respectively: The finer secondary austenite was more detrimental to corrosion resistance due to its lower content of Cr, Mo, and N as predicted by thermodynamic calculations. Increased hardness and etching response suggest that 475 °C embrittlement had occurred after 10 min. Results are summarized as time-temperature-precipitation and property diagrams for hardness and sensitization.