The effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cobalt-chromium alloys fabricated by selective laser melting

This work systematically examines the influence of heat treatment on the microstructural evolution and mechanical performance of selective laser melted cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloys (SLM). CoCr alloys with varying cerium (Ce) contents were produced using SLM, and the influence of varied cooling conditions on microstructural evolution and mechanical characteristics were examined. The experimental findings demonstrate that thermal processing significantly reduces the tensile strength of the alloys, while rapid cooling notably increases the elongation after fracture. The addition of Ce elements enhances the tensile strength of the alloys, particularly under rapid cooling conditions. Microstructural analysis reveals that rapid cooling refines grain size and might promote a uniform distribution of the carbide, thereby improving the comprehensive mechanical mechanical characteristics of the fabricated alloys. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing the heat treatment processes for CoCr alloys in high-performance applications.