Development of Corrosion Resistant Laser Sintered Inconel 718 Material using Salt Spray Test

Abstract

The conventional method is facing difficulty in manufacturing the nickel based alloys. Metal or composite components can be made using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process. Right now, Inconel 718 is a very much required alloy in defence, aerospace, chemical, oil and gas applications because of its admirable hot corrosion resistance and thermal –mechanical properties. In this research, we investigate the corrosion behaviour of the laser sintered and commercially available Inconel 718 alloy using salt spray test as per ASTM B117 for different exposing hours (24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168 hours). Samples prepared using laser sintering and commercially available Inconel 718 alloy were subjected to EDAX and SEM analysis to confirm the uniform distribution and chemical composition. Vickers Micro hardness test was conducted on samples to check surface hardness. From the results, it has been confirmed that prepared laser sintered Inconel 718 components shows the excellent corrosion resistance as compared to commercially available under harsh corrosion environment.