In this paper, the capability of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) systems to process stainless steel alloys is reviewed. Several classes of stainless steels are analyzed (i.e., austenitic, martensitic, precipitation hardening and duplex), showing the possibility of satisfactorily processing this class of materials and suggesting an enlargement of the list of alloys that can be manufactured, targeting different applications. In particular, it is reported that stainless steel alloys can be satisfactorily processed, and their mechanical performances allow them to be put into service. Porosities inside manufactured components are extremely low, and are comparable to conventionally processed materials. Mechanical performances are even higher than standard requirements. Micro surface roughness typical of the as-built material can act as a crack initiator, reducing the strength in both quasi-static and dynamic conditions.

Manufacturing of ferritic stainless steels flat bars is an important industrial topic and the steel 1.4512 is one of the most commonly used grades for producing this component. In this paper, the origin of some edge defects occurring during hot rolling of flat bars of this grade is analyzed and thermomechanical and microstructural calculations have been carried out to enhance the quality of the finished products by reducing the jagged borders defect on hot rolled bars. An accurate investigation has been carried out by analyzing the defects on the final product from both the macroscopic and microstructural point of view through the implementation of thermomechanical and metallurgical models in a finite element (FE) MSC Marc commercial code. Coupled metallurgical and damage models have been implemented to investigate the microstructural evolution of ferritic grain size and material damaging. Three levels of prior ferritic grain size (PFGS) and three furnace discharge temperatures have been considered in the thermo-mechanical simulations of the roughing passes. Rheological laws for modeling the evolution of ferritic grain have been modified to describe the specific cases simulated. Results have shown that the defect is caused by processing conditions that trigger an anomalous heating which, in turn, induces an uncontrolled grain growth on the edges. The work-hardened and elongated grains do not recrystallize during hot deformation. Consequently, they tend to squeeze out the surrounding softer and recrystallized matrix towards the edges of the bar where the fractures that characterizes the surface defect occur.

The present study is focused on analysing the change of colours of anodized titanium and effects of applied electrolytic voltages on chromatics. The titanium specimens were anodized in 20 g/L citric acid and 20 g/L baking soda electrolyte by use of different voltages. The colours of anodized titanium were measured with a spectrophotometer and then evaluated in the CIELAB colour space. It is found that different volt produces different colours. Anodizing in the range of 15 V to 150 V produces respectively a wide spectrum of colour ranging from brown to fuchsia. It can be concluded that the colours of the anodized titanium are dependent upon the applied voltages.

To fulfill the industrial demand of forged steels with high tensile properties and microstructural requirements coupled with reduced cost, the possibility to increase the properties of C-Mn steels by means of precipitation strengthening as achieved by micro-alloying (and without the addition of expensive elements such as Mo and Cr) has been evaluated. In order to do that, the effect of V addition has been exploited by means of metallurgical modelling followed by a laboratory ingot manufacturing. Heat treatment that has been designed aimed to achieve the target tensile properties. Results show that ASTM A694 F70 grade requirements can be fulfilled by 0.15% V addition and a proper heat treatment in a ferrite-pearlite microstructure, representative of a forged component.

To fulfill the industrial demand of forged steels with high tensile properties and microstructural requirements coupled with reduced cost, the possibility to increase the properties of C-Mn steels by means of precipitation strengthening as achieved by micro-alloying (and without the addition of expensive elements such as Mo and Cr) has been evaluated. In order to do that, the effect of V addition has been exploited by means of metallurgical modelling followed by a laboratory ingot manufacturing. Heat treatment has been designed aimed to achieve the desired target tensile properties. Results show that ASTM A694 F70 grade requirements can bel fulfilled by 0.15% V addition and a proper heat treatment in a ferrite-pearlite microstructure, representative of a forged component. Results are discussed in comparison to those of a similar steel without V addition.

The aim of the present paper deals with the production of heavy steel forgings of micro-alloyed steels. Improvements of mechanical properties of forgings up to level by sheets, strips and tubes have been achieved by mean of application of micro-alloying elements and thermo-mechanical treatments. The effect of vanadium addition has been assessed by means of metallurgical modelling step followed by a laboratory demonstration phase by means of ingot manufacturing. Heat treatment has been designed aimed to achieve the desired target tensile properties. Results show that ASTM A694 F70 grade requirements can be fulfilled by 0.15% V addition and a proper heat treatment in a ferrite-pearlite microstructure, representative of a forged component.