Maraging steels are notable for their low carbon content and exceptional combination of ultra-high strength, ductility, machinability, dimensional stability, and fracture toughness. These qualities make them especially valuable in industries such as die casting and tooling. Additionally, they hold promise for use as spring steel in sectors like automotive and food, where key requirements include stiffness, high strength, and ductility. Despite the complexity involved in producing maraging steels, additive manufacturing (AM) offers a more cost-efficient method for creating complex geometries with precise control over microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance, all within shorter production times.

The lack of carbon in maraging steels leads to the formation of relatively soft, tough lath martensite during solidification, which enhances resistance to cracking during the AM process. High strength is achieved in these steels through the uniform dispersion of intermetallic nanoprecipitates during subsequent aging treatment. Mechanical properties are significantly affected by the presence of retained austenite (RA) and reversed austenite.

Although considerable research has focused on the relationships between input parameters (such as particle size distribution, chemical composition, and process strategies) and output parameters (like mechanical properties, relative density, and microstructure), the specific effects of RA, reversed austenite, and heat treatment on mechanical properties remain underexplored.

This study presents initial findings on the additive manufacturing of maraging steels for automotive spring applications, with a focus on 1.2709 grade maraging steel. The mechanical properties of the samples are analyzed, and the impact of heat treatment is discussed.