7. Materials used

7.1 Maraging steels

The steel most commonly used in laser melting is X3NiCoMo18-9-5 maraging steel, or maraging 300. It is used in particular for the production of plastic injection molds. Maraging steels, i.e., martensite-maturing steels, are alloys that offer high hardness and strength while maintaining good ductility. These steels are distinguished by the fact that their strength is not solely due to their carbon content, but is also linked to the presence of intergranular precipitates. The...