Effects of electromagnetic field on the laser direct metal deposition of austenitic stainless steel

The effects of applying electric and magnetic fields (static and rotating) on the laser direct metal deposition of austenitic stainless steel were investigated. The results showed that the laser-induced plasma was strongly affected by the electromagnetic fields, which changed the cooling speed and affected the microstructure and residual stress of the deposited specimens. The electric and magnetic fields can change the solidification mode of the laser deposited austenitic stainless steel. The ferritic-austenitic mode was altered into an austenitic-ferritic mode in a rotating magnetic field, while the austenitic mode appeared in the electromagnetic fields. The hardness of the specimens increased, and the tensile stress was constrained when the specimens were manufactured in a rotating electric and magnetic field. After milling, the specimens manufactured under electric and magnetic fields had a higher compressive stress on the surface than that of the specimens produced under normal conditions.