CHARACTERISTICS OF PRODUCTS MADE OF 17-4PH STEEL BY MEANS OF 3D PRINTING METHOD

The article presents the results of tests of 17-4PH steel fabricated by means of the method consisting in laser additive manufacturing (LAM) – direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). This grade of steel is characterized by excellent stress corrosion resistance in the first place and is applied as construction material in chemical, aircraft, medical or mould making industry. 3D metal printing is a relatively new method enabling significant change of structural properties of these materials at printing parameters predetermined by printers manufacturer for ”offline” printing mode.In order to achieve this goal, the authors have carried out the analysis of chemical composition, SEM tests and the tests of products surface roughness. Furthermore the products have been subjected to X-ray analysis by means of computed tomography (X-ray CT). Structural discontinuities have been found in upper layer and inside printouts subjected to tests.