Effect of heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an ultra-high strength martensitic steel fabricated via laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

A newly developed ultra-high strength martensitic steel, AF9628, has generated academic and industrial attention due to its combination of high yield strength and ductility at a low cost. Several studies have demonstrated that this steel can be successfully additively manufactured (AM) using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). However, as-printed parts have displayed microstructural inhomogeneity, anisotropy, and a discrepancy in mechanical...