The thorough description of the peculiarities of additively manufactured (AM) structures represents a current challenge for aspiring freeform fabrication methods, such as selective laser melting (SLM). These methods have an immense advantage in the fast fabrication (no special tooling or moulds required) of components, geometrical flexibility in their design, and efficiency when only small quantities are required. However, designs demand precise knowledge of the material properties, which in the case of additively manufactured structures are anisotropic and, under certain circumstances, inhomogeneous in nature. Furthermore, these characteristics are highly dependent on the fabrication settings. In this study, the anisotropic tensile properties of selective laser-melted stainless steel (1.4404, 316L) are investigated: the Young’s modulus ranged from 148 to 227 GPa, the ultimate tensile strength from 512 to 699 MPa, and the breaking elongation ranged, respectively, from 12% to 43%. The results were compared to related studies in order to classify the influence of the fabrication settings. Furthermore, the influence of the chosen raw material was addressed by comparing deviations on the directional dependencies reasoned from differing microstructural developments during manufacture. Stainless steel was found to possess its maximum strength at a 45° layer versus loading offset, which is precisely where AlSi10Mg was previously reported to be at its weakest.

The limitations of investment casting of cobalt‐based alloys are claimed to be less problematic with significant improvements in metal additive manufacturing by selective laser melting (SLM). Despite these advantages, the metallic devices are likely to display mechanical anisotropy in relation to build orientations, which could consequently affect their performance “in vivo.” In addition, there is inconclusive evidence concerning the requisite composition and postprocessing steps (e.g., heat treatment to relieve stress) that must be completed prior to using the devices. In the current paper, we evaluate the microstructure of ternary cobalt‐chromium‐molybdenum (Co‐Cr‐Mo) and cobalt‐chromium‐tungsten (Co‐Cr‐W) alloys built with direct metal printing and LaserCUSING SLM systems, respectively, at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° inclinations (Φ) in as‐built (AB) and heat‐treated (HT) conditions. The study also examines the tensile properties (Young’s modulus, E; yield strength, R_P0.2; elongation at failure, A_t; and ultimate tensile strength, R_m), relative density (RD), and microhardness (HV5) and macrohardness (HV20) as relevant physicomechanical properties of the alloys. Data obtained indicate improved tensile properties and HV values after a short and cost‐effective heat‐treatment cycle of Co‐Cr‐Mo alloys; however, the process did not homogenize the microstructure of the alloy. Annealing heat treatment of Co‐Cr‐W led to significant isotropic characteristics with increased E and A_t (except for Φ = 90°) in contrast to decreased R_P0.2, R_m, and HV values, compared to the AB form. Similarly, the interlaced weld‐bead structures in AB Co‐Cr‐W were removed during heat treatment, which led to a complete recrystallization of the microstructure. Both alloys exhibited defect‐free microstructures with RD exceeding 99.5%.