The Effect of Preferential Growth on the Microstructure and Electrochemical Properties of CoCrW Alloys Produced by Selective Laser Melting

In this study, the effect of microstructural changes in CoCrW alloys produced by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) on their electrochemical properties was investigated. Phase analysis revealed that the microstructure of the SLM-fabricated CoCrW alloy was predominantly composed of the γ-fcc phase, along with a minor amount of the ε-hcp phase. Corrosion tests were performed in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution in order to mimic physiological conditions. According to the electrochemical test results, the samples fabricated at a lower production angle of 0° have exhibited higher corrosion resistance compared to the samples produced at a higher production angle of 90°. This behavior was attributed to the higher thermal energy input during fabrication and the steep thermal gradient around the melt pool, which were considered to promote larger grain formation at lower production angles.