Mechanical and metrological characterisation of 17-4PH stainless steel structures processed by material extrusion additive manufacturing
Ana Romero Gutiérrez, M.A. Caminero, Eustaquio García Plaza, Pedro José Núñez López, J.M. Chacón, G.P. Rodríguez, Antonio Cañadilla, J.L. Martínez Vicente
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) has progressed from its initial use in prototyping to the fabrication of fully functional components. However, the performance characteristics of parts produced by these techniques are still under investigation. This study presents the mechanical and metrological characterisation of 17-4 PH stainless steel components manufactured via Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing (MEAM). The parts exhibited low dimensional deviations and controlled shrinkage (4.5–15.8%), with flatness (4–8 μm), roundness (55–62 μm), cylindricity (71–85 μm), and surface roughness (3.6–9 μm) within acceptable ranges. The sintered samples achieved a relative density of 96.20%, with minimal, rounded, and isolated porosity primarily located at interlayer boundaries. Mechanical testing revealed competitive values of hardness, Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and plastic strain, all of which were significantly enhanced by H900 heat treatment. In contrast, the as-sintered condition demonstrated superior toughness and ductility. Regarding wear behaviour, as-sintered specimens outperformed their heat-treated counterparts. These findings highlight the potential of MEAM for fabricating geometrically complex and mechanically reliable metallic components.