Characterisation of the anisotropic response of wire and arc additively manufactured stainless steel

Abstract In contrast to conventional structural steel and stainless steel, wire and arc additively manufactured (WAAM) material can exhibit a strongly anisotropic response. To investigate the degree of anisotropy in WAAM sheet material, data obtained from tensile tests on machined and as‐built stainless steel coupons are utilised. The WAAM material was tested in three different loading directions relative to the deposition direction and the response was captured using digital image correlation; a summary of the key results is presented. In the elastic range, the observed mechanical response is characterised using an orthotropic plane stress material model, which requires the definition of two Young's moduli, the Poisson's ratio and the shear modulus. Good agreement between the test results and the theoretical predictions based on the orthotropic material model is demonstrated. In the inelastic range, to describe the anisotropic yielding of the material, the well‐known Hill's criterion utilising the 0.2% proof stresses is employed. Overall, the elastic and inelastic properties of the studied material are shown to vary significantly with the direction of loading.