Study of Processing Parameters and Aging Treatments on Relative Density and Microhardness of Additively Manufactured Maraging Steel

This research examined maraging steel (C300), which is widely used in the automotive industry. The study investigated how various 3D printing parameters—laser power (P), scanning speed (V), and layer spacing (H)—as well as post-processing heat treatment factors such as time (t) and temperature (T) affect the properties of C300 steel produced via selective laser melting (SLM). The primary properties assessed included relative density, porosity, hardness, and microstructure. The first part of the analysis focused on how processing parameters, time, and temperature influenced porosity types and manufacturing defects. Subsequently, ANOVA was employed to explore the sensitivity of relative density and microhardness to these parameters. The results revealed an optimal combination of parameters that improved both microstructural and mechanical properties. Additionally, the post-processing heat treatment was found to impact microhardness by modifying the microstructure and martensite lath size, with both the processing parameters and treatments affecting the material’s porosity and relative density.