Influence of Laser Energy Density and Sliding Velocity on Wear Behavior of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Processed Maraging Steel 300 Alloy

In the present study, maraging steel of grade 300 samples was additively manufactured with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technique at various laser energy density parameters. The maximum microhardness and relative density occur at 92.1 J/mm laser energy density which indicates a highly dense structure. The microstructural analysis from SEM images indicates that as the laser energy density rises the short and fine columnar microstructure changes to coarse and narrow columnar structure. The wear rate of the additively manufactured maraging steel decreases as the laser energy density rises from 61.41 to 92.1 J/mm and a further rise in laser energy density increases the wear rate. The wear rate rises with a rise in sliding velocity between 1.5 and 3.5 m/s. The coefficient of friction (COF) decreases as the laser energy density rises from 61.41 to 92.1 J/mm and a further rise in laser energy density raises the coefficient of friction. The COF rises with a rise in sliding velocity range between 1.5 and 3.5 m/s.