Description of Invention
316L stainless steel finds widespread use in industries like automotive and aerospace due to its excellent mechanical traits - high yield strength and corrosion resistance. The adoption of metal additive manufacturing, seen more recently, aids in crafting intricate geometries that traditional methods struggle with. However, understanding certain properties of 316L stainless steel made through additive manufacturing, like its pitting corrosion resistance, remains incomplete. An ASTM G48 compliant pitting corrosion test was conducted using ferric chloride on 316L LPBF, 316L MBJ, and 316L WAAM stainless steel, alongside wrought 316L. Results highlight 316L LPBF's top corrosion resistance, followed by 316L WAAM, wrought 316L, and 316L MBJ. Microstructure analysis emphasizes grain size's role, with smaller grains giving better corrosion resistance. Moreover, higher Vickers hardness relates to improved corrosion resistance.