High-Temperature Deformation in SS316L: Effects of Additive Manufacturing on Creep and Creep-Fatigue Performance
High-Temperature Deformation in SS316L: Effects of Additive Manufacturing on Creep and Creep-Fatigue Performance
Wednesday, October 22, 2025: 9:20 AM
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Advanced materials capable of enduring extreme environments are essential for nuclear reactor components that operate under high temperatures, mechanical stress, and radiation exposure. SS316L stainless steel is widely utilized due to its superior corrosion resistance and mechanical stability, with additive manufacturing (AM) offering additional advantages through microstructural control and design flexibility. This study explores the long-term deformation behavior of both conventionally manufactured and additively manufactured SS316L, emphasizing the impact of processing conditions on creep and creep-fatigue (CF) performance.
Impression creep (IC) tests were conducted on conventionally manufactured SS316L across a range of temperatures and stress levels to examine the relationship between localized and bulk creep behavior. Complementary CF tests at 750°C with a 0.5% strain amplitude and dwell times up to 60 minutes evaluated the effects of hold time on fatigue life and deformation mechanisms.
For AM SS316L, IC tests were performed at 750°C under 200 MPa stress, while CF tests at 650°C with a 1-hour hold time investigated how AM-specific microstructures influence deformation response. Samples were produced using varied laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing to assess the role of processing parameters in mechanical performance.
Microstructural characterization included electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for grain structure analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for studying dislocation behavior and precipitate formation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for fracture surface examination. By integrating mechanical testing with detailed microstructural analysis, this work establishes key process-structure-property relationships in SS316L, guiding material design and optimization for nuclear applications.
Impression creep (IC) tests were conducted on conventionally manufactured SS316L across a range of temperatures and stress levels to examine the relationship between localized and bulk creep behavior. Complementary CF tests at 750°C with a 0.5% strain amplitude and dwell times up to 60 minutes evaluated the effects of hold time on fatigue life and deformation mechanisms.
For AM SS316L, IC tests were performed at 750°C under 200 MPa stress, while CF tests at 650°C with a 1-hour hold time investigated how AM-specific microstructures influence deformation response. Samples were produced using varied laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing to assess the role of processing parameters in mechanical performance.
Microstructural characterization included electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for grain structure analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for studying dislocation behavior and precipitate formation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for fracture surface examination. By integrating mechanical testing with detailed microstructural analysis, this work establishes key process-structure-property relationships in SS316L, guiding material design and optimization for nuclear applications.