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This study investigates solid-state diffusion bonding between two INCONEL 617 alloy samples using field-assisted sintering technology (FAST). The study focuses on analyzing the faying surface validating the theoretical alloy design modeling done by the CALculation of PHAse Diagrams (CALPHAD) approach followed by experimental validation. Varying kinetics’ limitations enabled phase stability and phase control governed by the CALPHAD approach alloy design. The alloy design contains a pseudo-binary phase diagram assisted with thermal mapping of a property phase diagram to obtain the optimum temperature of solid-state diffusion bonding while understanding phase fields and their evolution through Molybdenum (Mo) increasing content and temperature increase. The FAST parameters recommended by CALPHAD were 800 °C under 10 MPa pressure with a holding time of 30 min. The investigation observations were promising in a way that the faying surface contains gamma ( γ ) only, while the further region on the alloy contains γ and gamma prime ( γ ′). It is worth mentioning that FAST joining resulted in fine faying surface thickness of around 10 μ m and a controlled heat affected zone (HAZ) leading to relevant reduction in the recrystallization zone yielding an average grain size of 60–100 μ m before and after diffusion bonding. Furthermore, two modes of metal carbide (MC) have been found; MC formed under the faying surface and micro-MC pools formed around the faying surface.

The deformation aspects associated with the micro-mechanical properties of the powder laser bed fusion (P-LBF) additively manufactured stainless steel 316L were investigated in the present work. Toward that, micro-pillars were fabricated on different planes of the stainless steel 316L specimen with respect to build direction, and an in situ compression was carried out inside the chamber of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results were compared against the compositionally similar stainless steel 316L, which was fabricated by a conventional method, that is, casting. The post-deformed micro-pillars on the both materials were examined by electron microscopy. The P-LBF processed steel exhibits equiaxed as well as elongated grains of different orientation with the characteristics of the melt-pool type arrangements. In contrast, the cast alloy shows typical circular-type grains in the presence of micro-twins. The yield stress and ultimate compressive stress of P-LBF fabricated steel were about 431.02 ± 15.51 − 474.44 ± 23.49 MPa and 547.78 ± 29.58 − 682.59 ± 21.59 MPa, respectively. Whereas for the cast alloy, it was about 322.38 ± 19.78 MPa and 477.11 ± 25.31 MPa, respectively. Thus, the outcome of this study signifies that the AM-processed samples possess higher mechanical properties than conventionally processed alloy of similar composition. Irrespective of the processing method, both specimens exhibit ductile-type deformation, which is typical for metallic alloys.