Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Mo-containing Stellite Alloys Produced by three Dimensional Printing

Stellite materials are widely used in demanding conditions such as corrosion and high- load wear components. The ability to develop cobalt-chrome based components by means of three-dimensional printing may increase their performance as well as enable the use of these wear-resistant materials in new applications. In this study, we use the binder jetting method to manufacture cobalt-chrome based articles using powders with various characteristics. The final components showed theoretical densities above critical limits, which correlated well with the microstructural characterization and mechanical properties. In addition, abrasion experiments showed higher wear resistance for the 3D printed parts compared to as-cast components, which was attributed to differences in the microstructure.