Investigation of Fabricating Stainless Steel 304L Thin-Wall Structure Using Laser Marking-Assisted Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Process

Abstract

The present study investigates the fabrication of thin-wall structures made of stainless steel 304L through wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) combined with laser marking. The objective is to examine the impact of different laser passes (50, 100, and 150) on the microstructure and macrostructure of the components. The utilization of laser marking was implemented as a preliminary treatment to improve the surface characteristics of the structures fabricated through WAAM. The novelty of this work lies in its innovative application of laser marking in combination with the WAAM process to greatly enhance the microstructural and macrostructural properties of SS304L thin-wall structures. The experimental results demonstrate a significant enhancement in surface roughness, with an average roughness value of 44.84, 28.62, and 20.45 µm for 50, 100, and 150 laser passes, respectively. Microstructural analysis showed that laser-treated samples exhibit finer grain structure compared to untreated samples. This study establishes a novel approach by integrating laser marking with WAAM to achieve enhanced mechanical properties and microstructural refinement, setting a new for high-quality manufacturing of thin-wall structure fabrication. © ASM International 2024.