Research Progress of 316L Stainless Steel Forming Process based on Selective Laser Melting Technology

SLM technology has the advantages of high material utilization, a short processing cycle and a high degree of personalization. 316L stainless steel is widely used in many industrial fields for its excellent various properties. Formed parts made of 316L stainless steel by SLM technology have expanded the application prospects of 316L stainless steel. The article reviews the research progress of the forming process of SLM-formed 316L stainless steel. This paper mainly collates and classifies the research progress and main methods of powder making, processing and forming and post-treatment of 316L stainless steel in the SLM manufacturing process; it summarizes the influence of SLM process parameters on the forming quality and performance of 316L stainless steel. The 316L stainless steel parts formed by SLM have excellent various properties and are widely used in many industrial fields, playing an extremely important role in the development and construction of the country. Although the current SLM forming technology of 316L stainless steel cannot completely replace the traditional machining method, its advantages of "personalized manufacturing" are still the focus of future research in the field of mechanical engineering. With the future progress of science and technology, SLM technology in the field of 316L stainless steel parts forming and manufacturing will be further improved and developed, which will promote SLM technology to better meet the needs of the petrochemical, transportation, aerospace, nuclear industry and food and medical industry applications.