Fig. 1. 316L stainless steel powder. (a) Microstructure; (b) particle size distribution

Fig. 2. SLM formed samples and size drawings of various samples. (a) SLM formed samples; (b) dimensions of tensile specimens; (c) dimensions of impact specimens; (d) dimensions of fatigue specimens

Fig. 3. Densities of 316L stainless steel samples formed by SLM under different preheating temperatures

Fig. 4. Microstructures of SLM samples at different preheating temperatures. (a) Room temperature; (b) preheating at 100 ℃；(c) preheating at 200 ℃；(d) cross-sectional sketch

Fig. 5. Average hardness distributions on vertical section of printed specimens at different preheating temperatures

Fig. 6. Tensile results in different directions. (a) Horizontal direction; (b) vertical direction

Fig. 7. Microstructures of tensile fractures under different conditions. (a) Rolled sheet; (b) no preheating; (c) preheating at 100 ℃；(d) preheating at 200 ℃

Fig. 8. Impact energy of specimens at different preheating temperatures. (a) Horizontal direction; (b) vertical direction

Fig. 9. Microstructures of impact fractures sampled along horizontal direction under different conditions. (a) Rolled sheet; (b) room temperature; (c) preheating at 100 ℃；(d) preheating at 200 ℃

Fig. 10. Fatigue life of specimens at different preheating temperatures. (a) Loaded along horizontal direction; (b) loaded along vertical direction

Fig. 11. Fatigue fracture morphologies of specimen under different preheating temperatures