The effect of the laser beam diameter on the microstructure and hardness of 17-4 PH stainless steel manufactured via the directed energy deposition process is investigated. The pore size and area fraction are much lower using a laser beam diameter of 1.0 mm compared with those observed using a laser beam diameter of 1.8 mm. Additionally, using a relatively larger beam diameter results in pores in the form of incomplete melting. Martensite and retained austenite are observed under both conditions. A smaller width of the weld track and overlapping area are observed in the sample fabricated with a 1.0 mm beam diameter. This difference appears to be mainly caused by the energy density based on the variation in the beam diameter. The sample prepared with a beam diameter of 1.0 mm had a higher hardness near the substrate than that prepared with a 1.8 mm beam diameter, which may be influenced by the degree of melt mixing between the 17-4 PH metal powder and carbon steel substrate.

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• Mechanical response and microstructural evolution of a composite joint fabricated by green laser dissimilar welding of VCoNi medium entropy alloy and 17-4PH stainless steel
  Hadiseh Esmaeilpoor, Mahdi Aghaahmadi, Hyun Jong Yoo, Chan Woong Park, Tae Jin Jang, Seok Su Sohn, Jeoung Han Kim
  Journal of Materials Science & Technology.2025; 213: 223.     CrossRef
• Laser additive manufacturing of ceramic reinforced titanium matrix composites: A review of microstructure, properties, auxiliary processes, and simulations
  Yuzhou Zeng, Jiandong Wang, Xuanrui Liu, Yu Xue, Lang Tang, Yunxiang Tong, Fengchun Jiang
  Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing.2024; 177: 107941.     CrossRef
• Study on the Elemental Diffusion Distance of a Pure Nickel Layer Additively Manufactured on 316H Stainless Steel
  UiJun Ko, Won Chan Lee, Gi Seung Shin, Ji-Hyun Yoon, Jeoung Han Kim
  journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2024; 31(3): 220.     CrossRef

In this study, we have prepared a Ti-6Al-4V/V/17-4 PH composite structure via a direct energy deposition process, and analyzed the interfaces using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The joint interfaces comprise two zones, one being a mixed zone in which V and 17-4PH are partially mixed and another being a fusion zone in the 17-4PH region which consists of Fe+FeV. It is observed that the power of the laser used in the deposition process affects the thickness of the mixed zone. When a 210 W laser is used, the thickness of the mixed zone is wider than that obtained using a 150 W laser, and the interface resembles a serrated shape. Moreover, irrespective of the laser power used, the expected σ phase is found to be absent in the V/17-4 PH stainless steel joint; however, many VN precipitates are observed.