In situ alloying of elemental Al-Cu12 feedstock using selective laser melting

ABSTRACT

This investigation developed selective laser melting (SLM) processing parameters for the in situ fabrication of an Al-Cu12 alloy from pure elemental blends of aluminium and copper powders. Use of elevated pre-heat temperatures (400°C) created a coarser dendritic cell microstructure consisting of supersaturated Al-rich with a uniform Al₂Cu phase granular microstructure compared to non-pre-heated samples. Al-Cu12 in situ samples achieved maximum tensile strength values comparable to that of sand cast pre-alloyed Al-Cu12. Processing at elevated pre-heat temperatures created components with higher ultimate tensile strength and ductility compared to standard room temperature-built samples due to it assisting a more complete melting of Al and Cu particles. Additionally pre-heating enabled an artificial age hardening, producing an equilibrium α?+?θ microstructure. The creation of an alloy in situ through the use of elemental powder blends represents a low-cost and flexible methodology for exploration of new SLM material compositions and potential candidate materials for semi-solid processing using SLM.     

Microstructure and compressive properties of Al-Si10-Mg lattice structures manufactured using selective laser melting

In this study, the aluminum alloy lattice structure was processed using selective laser melting, and the compressive behaviour was studied. When the porous aluminum alloy was compressed along the building direction, the compressive stress initially increased, followed by a decrease, and then another increase. The aluminum alloy lattice structure mainly underwent the stages of elasticity, shearing, collapse, and then densification in the course of the compression process; the fracture primarily occurred at the joints of the pillars and the support plates. Moreover, the fractures of the aluminum alloy lattice structure, as prepared by selective laser melting, exhibited dimples of different sizes and shapes. The silicon content at the bottom of such a dimple was higher than that at the edges. When the stress level reached its limit and was insufficient to coordinate the plastic deformation of the two phases (α-aluminum / silicon interface), micro-pores formed at the interface (the dimples resulted from the breakage of numerous micro-pores after aggregation), which caused the silicon content at the bottom of the dimple to be higher than that at the edge.     

Effect of process parameters on residual stress in selective laser melting of AlSi10Mg

ABSTRACT

Residual stress is a key indicator for measuring complex additive components, and its control method has received extensive attention. In this study, the finite element simulation of selective laser melting of AlSi10Mg was performed. It is found that the opposite laser scanning strategy can reduce the final residual stress of the sample. The effect of preheating the substrate to control the residual stress within a certain temperature range is obvious, and the laser scanning speed has the greatest influence on the Z-direction residual stress of the sample. The results show that the sag phenomenon is easy to occur at the laser scanning starting position, and the formed layer is the maximum residual stress region at the junction with the substrate.     

An overview of selective laser sintering and melting research using bibliometric indicators

The aim of this paper is to present an overview of published research in selective laser sintering/melting (SLS/M), by using bibliometric indicators. Bibliometrics is the quantitative statistical analysis of written publications, such as articles or books. It is useful for displaying and classifying information according to selected variables, such as authors, journals, citations, countries, and institutions. This type of review provides a clear picture of research in a targeted area, such as the most cited research, author with most publications, journal with most published papers, and universities and countries producing the largest amount of research in the target area. The Web of Science database was used to collect data on the topic of interest. The results reveal that the Rapid Prototyping journal is the most productive journal in this field, where the Huazhong University Science Technology is the most effective institution. Also China is the most productive country, whereas USA is the most influential country.     

Effect of deposition path of electron beam freeform fabrication on residual stress and deformation of deposited parts

The present work focused on the effect of deposition path on the transient temperature distribution, heat transfer, residual deformation and residual stress of a rectangular solid deposited by electron beam freeform fabrication technology. To achieve this aim, three representative deposition paths were involved to produce rectangular solid by electron beam freeform fabrication technology. Thermal-mechanical decoupling simulations were carried out with respect to three different deposition paths. Both of the experimental and simulation results showed that a shorter deposition track can remarkably reduce the residual stress and warping. After separating the deposition area into small segments, remarkable local bulges were formed near the conjunction lines, and overheating was prone to occur at the turning points of the conjunction lines. The present work is helpful to the selection of deposition path for additive manufacturing process.     

The three-prong method: a novel assessment of residual stress in laser powder bed fusion

ABSTRACT

Residual stress is a major problem for most metal-based laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) components. Residual stress can be reduced by appropriate build planning and post-process heat treatments; however, it is not always avoidable and can lead to build failures due to distortion and cracking. Accurate measurement of residual stress levels can be difficult due to high equipment set-up costs and long processing times. This paper introduces a simple but novel method of measuring residual stresses via a three-pronged cantilever component, the three-prong method (TPM). The method allows for a quick and easy characterisation of residual stress for a wide range of machine parameters, build strategies and materials. Many different cantilever designs have been used to indicate residual stress within additive manufacturing techniques. All of which share the same shortcoming that they indicate stress in one direction. If the principal component of stress is not aligned with the beam geometry, it will underestimate peak stress values. A novel three-prong design is proposed which covers two dimensions by utilising three adjoined cantilever beams, a configuration which echoes that of hole-drilling where three measurements are used to calculate the stress field around a drilled hole. Each arm of the component resembles a curved bridge-like structure; one end of each bridge is cut away from the base plate leaving the centre intact. Deformation of the beams is then measured using a co-ordinate measurement machine. Stress profiles are then estimated using finite element analysis by meshing the deflected structure and forcing it back to its original shape. In this paper, the new TPM is used to compare the residual stress levels of components built in Ti–6Al–4V with different hatch patterns, powers and exposure times.     

An effective analytical model of selective laser melting

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a laser-based powder bed Additive Manufacturing process that can produce near net shape products with metallic powders according to Computer-Aided Design models. In this paper, a useful analytical model of SLM is proposed by investigating the energy requirement of the process. Results from the experiments on SLM of pure nickel and pure tin are reported. By compiling process parameter data from various literatures and experiments, this model has shown to enable predictions of the energy input required to process different metallic materials to an order of magnitude despite the many assumptions made. Possible explanations for the deviation in predictions and actual energy inputs are also discussed.     

Evaluation of residual stress in stainless steel 316L and Ti6Al4V samples produced by selective laser melting

Selective laser melting (SLM) has great potential in additive manufacturing because it enables the production of full-density complex parts with the desired inner structure and surface morphology. High temperature gradients as a result of the locally concentrated energy input lead to residual stresses, crack formation and part deformation during processing or after separation from the supports and the substrate. In this study, an X-ray diffraction technique and numerical simulation were used for investigating the residual stress in SLM samples fabricated from stainless steel 316L and Ti6Al4V alloy. Conclusions regarding directions and values of stresses in SLM objects are given.     

The impact of aging and drag-finishing on the surface integrity and corrosion behavior of the selective laser melted maraging steel samples

The maraging steel components fabricated using the selective laser melting process exhibit remarkable static strength. However, high pore density and large surface imperfections impede their overall mechanical and chemical performance. Thus, the components are often post-treated with mechanical- and thermal-based treatments to overcome their inherent imperfections and enhance their final mechanical properties. Although the post-processing treatments are useful in enhancing the selective laser melted components’ mechanical performance, their effect on corrosion behavior is not comprehensively evaluated. In this study, the selective laser melting prepared maraging steel samples’ corrosion behavior was examined in the as-built condition and compared with the post-processed samples subjected to aging and drag finishing operations. Compared to the as-built condition, both aging and drag-finishing post-processing treatments increased the selective laser melting samples’ corrosion even though the surface integrity was improved.     

High mechanical strengths and ductility of stainless steel 304L fabricated using selective laser melting

Achieving not only high mechanical strengths but also high ductility is recently established using an additive manufacturing technique called selective laser melting. In the present study, stainless steel 304 L fully dense samples were successfully printed using the 3 D systems – ProX 300 printing machine. The ductility and tensile yield strength were almost two and three times higher compared to those of ASTM cast's alloy. Honey comb like nano-cellular structure with different orientation was observed in the fine grains(~4μm) due to fast cooling rate. In addition, the formation of martensite phase in random grains is also a contributor to the strengths. Furthermore, negative residual stresses in the build and horizontal directions were detected and assisted further increase in the tensile strength. Fractography revealed the ductile feature of plastic deformation and the crack openings at unmelted particles or pores.     

Process optimisation of selective laser melting using energy density model for nickel based superalloys

The main challenge associated with the application of selective laser melting (SLM) to Ni based superalloys is the performance of process optimisation to maximise the mechanical properties. The energy density parameter has typically been used as a semiquantitative approach to identify the energy threshold beyond which the material achieves virtually full consolidation. Nonetheless, some Ni superalloys are susceptible to crack formation during SLM, which cannot be avoided via process optimisation. In the present report, a comparative study is presented showing the utility of the energy density parameter in process optimisation for γ′ and γ′/γ″ strengthened Ni based superalloys. For both classes, it was found that the build density increases [i.e. void area (%) decreases] with the increase in the energy density. Nonetheless, no direct correlation can be found between the energy density parameter and the cracking density.     

Analytical modelling of residual stress in additive manufacturing

A physics‐based analytical model to assess residual stresses in additive manufacturing made of metallic materials is presented and validated experimentally. The model takes into consideration the typical multi‐pass aspect of additive manufacturing. First, the thermal signature of the process is assessed by predicting the temperature for the problem of a moving heat source, then, the thermally induced stresses in a homogenous semi‐infinite medium are determined. Taking the thermal stresses as input, the residual stresses are calculated analytically to obtain the distribution across the depth. Good agreement is obtained between the analytical prediction and X‐ray measurements made on Selective Laser Melted 316L Stainless Steel. In addition, the analytical approach enables in‐depth interpretations of results with basis in the true mechanisms of the process. Thus, the present model appears as a promising tool for optimization of process parameters in additive manufacturing, which in turn will improve the understanding of process parameters and their effect on properties of the final product.     

Effect of scanning strategy on grain structure and crystallographic texture of Inconel 718 processed by selective laser melting

Two types of scanning strategies were adopted to study the effect of scanning strategy on grain structure and crystallographic texture of selective laser melted (SLM) Inconel 718. The results show that bidirectional scanning without and with a 90°-rotation for every layer produced the bimodal grain structure and the directional columnar grain structure, respectively. Controlling the heat flux direction between the successive layers via scanning strategy enabled the formation of such different grain structures. Furthermore, when the 90°-rotation was applied, the competitive grain growth mechanism became more pronounced and the strong cube texture developed.     

On the fatigue crack growth behaviour of selective laser melting fabricated Inconel 625: Effects of build orientation and stress ratio

The building of Inconel 625 material was carried out using the selective laser melting method, and its fatigue crack growth property at ambient temperature was experimentally investigated. Compact‐tension specimens with different building orientations were utilized to determine the stress intensity factor threshold and fatigue crack growth rate curves at different stress ratios (R). The results indicated that the fatigue crack growth properties in the near threshold stress intensity factor and Paris regions were greatly affected by the loading factor, as well as the orientation of the alloy. The mechanism of fatigue crack growth at different stages was observed and discussed using scanning electron microscopy. Finally, based on the framework of the linear elastic fracture, a new and applicable effective driving force factor range was introduced to replace the traditional stress intensity factor range (ΔK) with good accuracy for all of the fatigue crack growth test data, considering both the stress ratio and orientation.     

Effect of build direction on the fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth in selective laser melted Ti‐6Al‐4 V

Experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth characteristics in selective laser‐melted titanium 6Al‐4 V materials as a follow‐on to a previous study on high cycle fatigue. For both the fracture toughness and crack growth evaluation, the compact tension specimen geometry was used. It was found that the fracture toughness was lower than what would be expected from wrought or cast product forms in the same alloy. This was attributed to the rapidly cooled, martensitic microstructure, developed in the parts. At low stress ratios, the crack growth rates were faster than in wrought titanium but became comparable at higher ratios. The fracture toughness appears to be higher when the crack is oriented perpendicular to the build layers. The difference in the average threshold and critical stress intensity values for the crack growth results for the three orientations was within the scatter of the data, so there was essentially no difference. The same was true for the empirically derived Paris Law constants. Residual stresses were likely to have overshadowed any variation in crack growth because of microstructural directionalities associated with build orientation.     

The effect of laser energy input on the microstructure,physical and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloys by selective laser melting

Selective laser melting is an advanced manufacturing process which can control the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of as-manufactured products via various processing parameters. In this study, the porosity/relative density, surface quality, microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated on the selective laser melted Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens fabricated with a wide range of laser energy inputs. It was found that the microstructure of selected laser melted Ti-6Al-4V alloys is typical of acicular martensites α′. Quantitative analysis reveals that the relative density, martensitic lath size and microhardness increase with the laser energy input. The surface quality is also substantially affected by the energy input.     

Effects of scanning speed on creep behaviour of 316L stainless steel produced using selective laser melting

Increasing numbers of critical components for the aerospace and power industries are fabricated using additive manufacturing (AM). To increase the productivity of high‐temperature components by AM, the scanning speed needs to be maximized without sacrificing the required creep properties. In this study, five rectangular blocks were manufactured using selective laser melting while varying the scanning speed from 420 to 980 mm/s. Small punch creep tests were conducted at 650°C using 10 × 10 × 0.5 mm specimens machined from each block. Creep deformation and rupture life were measured. Power law creep constants were also determined. Difference of creep behaviours were explained based on the microstructures showing pore defects and the measured metal density values. A 3D response surface plot was employed to predict the creep life as a function of the scanning speed and the energy density. As a consequence, a scanning speed range of 416 to 572 mm/s is recommended to maximize productivity and to increase creep resistance.     

激光选区熔化成形高强铝合金晶粒细化抑制裂纹研究现状EI北大核心CSCD

高强铝合金(2×××,7×××等)因具有比强度高、加工性好等优点而被航空航天、汽车等领域广泛应用。随着大推重比飞行器设计及汽车轻量化技术的发展,轻质结构材料的需求日益增加,同时零部件也面临着“薄壁化、中空化、复合化”的发展趋势,高强铝合金的传统加工方法越来越难以满足要求。近年来,激光选区熔化成形(selective laser melting,SLM)作为一种常见的金属增材制造技术(additive manufacturing,AM)在复杂零部件成形领域受到关注,有望成为进一步拓宽高强铝合金应用领域的新兴技术。然而,SLM成形高强铝合金因易产生周期性热裂纹和粗大柱状晶不良组织等问题而发展缓慢,晶粒细化是克服增材制造高强铝合金这一固有热裂问题的关键所在。本文综述了近年来SLM成形高强铝合金显微组织和力学性能调控等方面的研究进展,归纳了不同体系合金的力学性能,重点阐述了抑制SLM成形高强铝合金中热裂纹形成的主要策略,包括SLM工艺参数优化以及通过微合金化或添加纳米颗粒细化晶粒等方法。指出当前研究存在的主要问题是合金成分的改变对材料综合性能以及热处理制度的影响规律尚不清晰等,并展望了未来的发展趋势,如SLM成形新型高强铝合金成分设计与综合性能评价、利用后处理工艺等手段进一步提升合金综合性能以及专用晶粒细化剂的设计与细化机制探究等。     

退火态激光选区熔化成形AlSi10Mg合金组织与力学性能

AlSi10Mg合金具有高比强度、高耐磨性等优良特点。由于其成分接近共晶点,成形性能良好,被广泛应用于激光选区熔化技术。然而其热处理制度仍然沿用传统铸态合金的热处理规范,影响了其性能的充分发挥。本工作采用激光选区熔化技术制备了AlSi10Mg合金,并研究了沉积态和后续热处理过程中组织演化规律及其对室温力学性能的影响机制。研究发现：沉积态组织由沿沉积方向生长的α-Al柱状枝晶及枝晶间网状Al-Si共晶组成,具有强烈的〈100〉方向织构,沉积层由三部分组成,分别是细晶区、粗晶区及热影响区,抗拉强度389.5 MPa,伸长率4%。退火过程中,共晶Si破碎、球化,基体中过饱和Si不断析出长大。当退火温度从200 ℃提高到500 ℃时,Si颗粒发生Ostwald熟化,平均尺寸增长了23倍。经过300 ℃和500 ℃退火处理后,试样抗拉强度分别为287.0 MPa和268.0 MPa,但伸长率分别提高到10.3%和17.2%。     

Investigation on processing of ASTM A131 Eh36 high tensile strength steel using selective laser melting

ABSTRACT

In this paper, selective laser melting (SLM) technique was used to investigate the processing of EH36 high tensile strength steel commonly used in the shipbuilding applications. EH36 powder was produced according to ASTM A131 standards using gas atomisation process. SLM process parameters, including scanning speed and hatch spacing, were investigated to produce test specimens with high density. Parts were successfully built using SLM without cracks. Density tests were performed according to ASTM B962 standards. Light optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed slight porosities and martensitic microstructure respectively. The study concluded that EH36 parts could be produced using SLM and this provided foundation work for the technical feasibility of fabricating high tensile strength steel components for the shipbuilding industry.