Mechanical Properties of Metal Matrix Nanocomposites Synthesized by Selective Laser Melting Measured by Depth Sensing Indentation Technique Anna Biedunkiewicz 1,a , Pawel Figiel 1,b , Witold Biedunkiewicz 1,c , Dariusz Grzesiak 1,d , Marta Krawczyk 1,e and Urszula Gabriel-Polrolniczak 2,f 1 West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Piastow Ave. 17, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland 2 Maritime University of Szczecin, Waly Chrobrego St. 1-2, 70-500 Szczecin a anna.biedunkiewicz@zut.edu.pl, b pfigiel@zut.edu.pl, c witold.biedunkiewicz@zut.edu.pl, d dariusz.grzesiak@zut.edu.pl, e marta.krawczyk@zut.edu.pl, f u.polrolniczak@am.szczecin.pl Keywords: nanoindentation, SLS/M, nanocomposites, MMC Abstract. This work presents an investigation on basic mechanical properties (hardness, Young modulus) of metal matrix composites (MMC) reinforced with non-oxide ceramic nanoparticles by means of nanoindentation measurements. The evaluated materials were manufactured by selective laser sintering and/or melting (SLS/M). As a matrix 316L stainless steel and as a reinforcing phase TiC nanoparticles were used. The influence of nanoscale reinforcement on the mechanical properties of MMC manufactured with SLS/M process was examined. In this case statistical evaluation of hardness and Young modulus based on nanoindentation data was performed. Introduction It is well established that the incorporation of hard, second-phase particles suitably added to ferrous matrices can significantly improve certain material properties. Ferrous-based metal matrix composites reinforced with particles exhibit both excellent wear and cutting properties, and are competitive to existing materials used in heavy wear applications. In this class of engineering materials, iron-based composites containing TiC have received particular attention [1,2]. They exhibit the toughness and machinability comparable with conventional alloy steels combined with significant improvements in hardness and wear resistance. Powder metallurgy roots are employed on an industrial scale to produce iron based TiC metal matrix composites. One of the ways for obtaining functional composite materials is the technology based on the selective laser sintering or melting (SLS/M) of the powders. This method belongs to promising rapid prototyping (RP) processes due to its ability to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) metal parts directly according to CAD model. This work presents an experimental investigation of nanocrystalline TiC/ stainless steel composite prepared by SLS/M method using stainless steel powder and titanium carbide powder as refractory material prepared by sol-gel method [3]. This paper reports comparative results of the investigations of nc-TiC/316 steel composites at different TiC contents. In order to evaluate the difference in mechanical performance of different zones in the composites nanoindentation was employed [4,5]. Hardness and elastic modulus were determined. Nanoindentation technique is used for obtaining quantitative data on elastic properties of material in small volumes, typically in submicron length scale. Experimental As matrix the stainless steel 1.4404 (AISI 316L) from SLM Solutions GmbH, and as the hard, second-phase nc-TiC particles, in powder form were used. The nc-TiC powders were obtained by non-hydrolytic sol-gel methods [6]. The average size of TiC crystallites was in a range of 40÷100 nm (Fig. 1a). For sintering process the mixtures of the powders composed of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 Key Engineering Materials Vol. 586 (2014) pp 83-86 Online available since 2013/Sep/10 at www.scientific.net © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.586.83 All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of TTP, www.ttp.net. (ID: 212.14.32.55-16/01/15,11:28:22)