Selective laser melting of H13: microstructure and residual stress

In this research, samples of the H13 steel, a commonly used hot work tool steel in the die/mould manufacturing industry, were additively manufactured using selective laser melting (SLM). Their as-built microstructures were characterised in detail using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compared with that of the conventionally manufactured H13 (as-supplied). SLM resulted in the formation of martensite and also its partial decomposition...