INFLUENCE OF MACHINING-BASED POST-PROCESSING ON THE SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY OF DMLS 316L STAINLESS STEEL FOR FUSION-RELEVANT APPLICATIONS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20998/2078-7405.2025.103.04

Keywords:

additive manufacturing, DMLS 316L stainless steel, surface topography, post-processing, fusion technology applications

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of machining-based post-processing on the surface topography of Direct Metal Laser Sintered (DMLS) 316L stainless steel intended for fusion-relevant applications. Cubic samples (30 × 30 × 30 mm) were produced by additive manufacturing and subsequently finished by face milling and surface grinding under two parameter settings each. The surface topography was characterized using an AltiSurf 520 optical system in accordance with ISO 25178. The as-printed surface exhibited high roughness (Sa = 8.899 µm, Sz = 79.427 µm), while all post-processed surfaces showed significant improvements. The lowest roughness (Sa = 1.346 µm) was obtained after grinding at 7 m/min feed rate. Skewness and kurtosis analysis indicated that machining transformed the peak-dominated surface into a more uniform, near-Gaussian texture. The results confirm that controlled milling and grinding operations can effectively enhance the surface integrity of DMLS 316L components. These findings demonstrate the potential of hybrid additive–subtractive manufacturing to produce surfaces suitable for the vacuum and functional requirements of fusion technology applications.

Author Biographies

Sztankovics István, University of Miskolc, Hungary

Associate Professor, Deputy Director of the Institute of Manufacturing Science, University of Miskolc, Department of Production Engineering, Miskolc - Egyetemváros, Hungary

Veres Gábor, HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research : Budapest, HU

Professor (Nuclear Technics), Head of department (Fusion Technology), HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, Budapest, HU

Felhő Csaba, University of Miskolc, Hungary

Associate Professor, Director of the Institute of Production Science, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Informatics, University of Miskolc, Hungary

Nagy Antal, University of Miskolc, Hungary

Еngineering teacher, PhD student, Institute of Manufacturing Science, University of Miskolc, Department of Production Engineering, Miskolc - Egyetemváros, Hungary

Figeczki-Mélykuti Péter, HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research: Budapest, Budapest, HU

Development Engineer, Department (Fusion Technology), HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research : Budapest, HU

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Published

2025-12-15

Issue

No. 103 (2025): Cutting and Tools in Technological Systems

Section

Addition technologies in mechanical engineering

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