Laser powder bed fusion of functionally graded bi-materials: Role of VC on functionalizing AISI H13 tool steel

This study investigates the feasibility of fabricating defect-free functionally graded bi-materials (FGMs) with enhanced wear resistance via incorporation of vanadium carbide (VC) into H13 tool steel. Three distinct composite powders containing 1, 3, and 5 wt%VC were prepared through ball-milling and subjected to laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process to print different composites on top of monolithic H13 in a wide range of process parameters. …