Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of additively manufactured 21-6-9 stainless steel for aerospace applications

The alloy 21-6-9 is a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel often used in aerospace applications due to its high strength, good fabrication properties, and toughness at cryogenic temperatures. However, minimal research has been conducted on alloy 21-6-9 using the additive manufacturing process laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF). The L-PBF technique has been seen as a key to reducing production time and avoiding costly machining. Therefore, there is an interest in investigating L-PBF-processed 21-6-9 to determine the effects of L-PBF on properties at elevated and cryogenic temperatures. In this study, prior to tensile testing the alloy 21-6-9 underwent heat treatments that simulated aerospace applications and the alloy was analyzed and characterized to evaluate phase stability. The effects of elevated and cryogenic temperatures (77 K) on the tensile behavior and microstructure were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The tensile tests showed that the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength improved, while ductility varied depending on the conditions and test environment. The ultimate tensile strength was approximately 80% higher at 77 K than at room temperature, although the elongation decreased by around 90%, possibly due to the formation of strain-induced martensite.