3D printing of multiple metallic materials via modified selective laser melting

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a powder bed layer-by-layer fusion technique mainly applied for additive manufacturing of 3D metallic components of complex geometry. However, the technology is currently limited to printing a single material across each layer. In many applications such as the manufacture of certain aero engine components, conformably cooled dies, medical implants and functional gradient structures, printing of multiple materials are desirable. This paper reports an investigation into the 3D printing of multiple metallic materials including 316L stainless steel, In718 nickel alloy and Cu10Sn copper alloy within a single build-up process using a specially designed multiple material SLM system combining powder-bed with point by point powder dispensing and selective material removal, for the first time. Material delivery system design, multiple material interactions, and component characteristics are described and the associated mechanisms are discussed.     

Tailoring surface quality through mass and momentum transfer modeling using a volume of fluid method in selective laser melting of TiC/AlSi10Mg powder

A selective laser melting (SLM) physical model of coupled radiation transfer and thermal diffusion is proposed, which provides a local temperature field. A strong difference in thermal conductivity between the powder bed and dense material is taken into account. Both thermo-capillary force and recoil pressure induced by the material evaporation, which are the major driving forces for the melt flow, are incorporated in the formulation. The effect of the laser energy input per unit length (LEPUL) on the temperature distribution, melt pool dynamics, surface tension and resultant surface morphology has been investigated. It shows that the surface tension plays a crucial role in the formation of the terminally solidified surface morphology of the SLM-processed part. The higher surface tension of the lower temperature metal near the edge of the melt pool and the thermal-capillary force induced by the surface temperature gradient tend to pull the molten metal away from the center of the melt pool. For a relatively high LEPUL of 750 J/m, the molten material in the center of the melt pool has a tendency to flow towards the rear part, resulting in the stack of molten material and the attendant formation of a poor surface quality. For an optimized processing condition, LEPUL=500 J/m, a complete spreading of the molten material driven by the surface tension is obtained, leading to the formation of a fine and flat melt pool surface. The surface quality and morphology are experimentally acquired, which are in a good agreement with the results predicted by simulation.     

激光能量输入对直接激光沉积莫来石陶瓷组织性能的影响

研究了激光能量密度对直接激光沉积熔体自生莫来石陶瓷孔隙/密度、微观组织和力学性能的影响.结果表明,较低激光能量密度(15 J/mm2)所制备的陶瓷样件边缘分布有尺寸较大的气孔,使得样件整体孔隙率较高,且表面粘粉严重,这与成形扫描速度大和硅酸盐熔体粘度高有关.而较高激光能量密度(90 J/mm2)虽然可以获得表面光滑、莫...     

Modelling of selective laser melting process with adaptive remeshing

ABSTRACT

Selective laser melting involves manufacturing of a part layer-by-layer by localised melting and solidification of metal powders. The geometry, composition, structure and property of the solidified deposit are significantly influenced by repeated exposure to the laser beam at a high scanning speed. A computationally efficient heat transfer model of selective laser melting is reported here using the finite element method with adaptive remeshing. The model has incorporated a very fine mesh, moving with the laser beam, to capture the local thermal gradient in and around the melt pool. A gradually varying coarser mesh is used away from the melt pool. The computed results are verified with that calculated using a uniform fine mesh and against reported experimental observations.     

难熔金属选区激光熔化技术研究进展

近年来,随着难熔金属的研究与深入,传统工艺难以满足在制备难熔金属及其复杂结构的需求。鉴于难熔金属材料的高熔点和优异的高温力学性能,将其与选区激光熔化技术相结合,将为难熔金属的设计提供更大的弹性和可加工性。本文对难熔金属材料的选区激光熔化技术进行了总结。按照材料分类,对钨合金、多孔钽、钼合金以及难熔高熵合金进行评述。因为选区激光熔化难熔金属对低熔点元素、加工参数等敏感,故总结了这些因素对工艺控制和最终零件质量的影响。最后,归纳了当前研究的优势和不足,并对今后的发展趋势进行了展望。     

选区激光熔化Al-Mg-Sc-Zr合金成形性及力学性能研究

通过选区激光熔化(SLM)技术制备Al-Mg-Sc-Zr铝合金,系统研究了不同工艺参数对铝合金粉末成形性以及不同时效处理条件对SLM成形样品组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明,在高激光功率和低激光扫描速度下,SLM成形样品的致密度较高。沿样品沉积方向可观察到熔池层层堆叠的显微组织,熔池边界和熔池内部均存在细小纳米颗粒。经不同温度时效处理后,样品的硬度和压缩屈服强度先增加后降低。SLM成形样品经400℃时效处理3 h后屈服强度达到最大值469±4 MPa。     

铝合金脉冲激光焊Mg元素烧损行为及接头硬度分布

采用Nd:YAG脉冲激光对1mm厚5A05铝合金板进行焊接,结合激光焊物理过程,研究和分析了焊接工艺参数(脉冲能量、脉冲宽度、焊接速度和离焦量)对Mg元素烧损和焊缝熔深的影响,以及焊缝中Mg元素含量的变化和接头的硬度分布.结果表明,Mg元素烧损受熔池搅拌作用的影响,随搅拌作用增强和焊缝熔深的增加,焊缝中Mg元素烧损率减小;受Mg元素含量和冷却速度影响,焊接接头硬度在熔合线附近具有最大值,在焊缝中从表面到熔池底部硬度先减小再增大.     

铸铁表面激光熔凝行为及温度场数值模拟

为明确铸铁表面激光熔凝过程的热响应规律,考虑随温度变化的材料热物性参数和相变潜热影响,建立铸铁表面激光动态熔凝的三维数值模型并进行了验证,预测值与试验值吻合良好,采用该模型分析了热响应温度场规律及不同工艺参数的映射关系.结果表明,铸铁表面激光熔凝较钢材可获得更大的熔透深度,熔池内、外形成较大温度梯度且分别以深、宽方向分...     

Evaluation of polychromatic X-ray radiography defect detection limits in a sample fabricated from Hastelloy X by selective laser melting

Selective laser melting is a rapidly maturing additive manufacturing technology ideally suited to the net-shape fabrication of high value metallic components with complex shapes. However, if the processing conditions are poorly controlled, internal defects such as cracks or pores filled with metal powder may be present and impair the properties. As a result, a non-destructive defect detection method needs to be found that is suited to this application. In this work, a staircase sample was designed and fabricated from Hastelloy X by selective laser melting with step thicknesses ranging from 0.8 mm to 10 mm and with each step containing the same series of custom-made spherical, rod-shaped and coin-shaped defects arranged in different orientations and ranging from 0.2 mm up to 2 mm in size. The sample was exposed to various X-ray radiography testing and analysis methods. In particular, a theoretical and experimental evaluation of defect detection limits by polychromatic X-ray absorption radiography was performed based on the measurable contrast, which depends on both defect size and shape and slab thickness. The experimental data suggest that the minimum detectable contrast is about 1–2% when using X-rays with a very broad spectrum. This equates to a minimum detectable defect size of about 0.2 mm for a Hastelloy X slab thickness of <2 mm. The experimental findings are in good agreement with theoretical expectations. The theoretical framework provides a criterion for estimating contrast, which is useful for optimising the experimental conditions. Polychromatic X-ray absorption radiography represents a simple and effective non-destructive investigation technique. Methods for further improving the defect detection limits are also discussed and examples relative to computed tomography are reported.     

Effect of molten pool boundaries on the mechanical properties of selective laser melting parts

Selective laser melting (SLM) manufactures components through the overlapping of multi-track and multi-layer molten pools of metal powders, resulting in two types of molten pool boundaries (MPBs), “layer–layer” and “track–track” MPBs, remaining in SLM parts. The microstructure of MPBs exhibits a complex and regular spatial topological structure. There is a coarse grain zone below the MPBs and nonmetallic elements (C, O, Si) near the MPBs are in an unstable state. Long and thin columnar grains with the same orientations distribute on two sides of the “layer–layer” MPBs, whereas the columnar grains on both sides of “track–track” MPBs have different orientations. The “track–track” MPBs are short and intersect with “layer–layer” MPBs at some points and form acute angles, where cracks are initiated when applied with external loads. The effect of the MPBs on microscopic slipping, macroscopic ductility and fracture mechanism of the SLM parts made along different directions, which were exerted a tensile loading in the as-built condition without heat treatment, was analyzed and evaluated using slip theory and experiments. The results reveal that the MPBs have a significant impact on the microscopic slipping at the loading, macroscopic plastic behavior and fracture mode, and are one of the main reasons for the obvious anisotropy and low ductility of SLM parts.     

High-speed X-ray investigation of melt dynamics during continuous-wave laser remelting of selective laser melted Co-Cr alloy

The objective of this study is to quantify the melt pool dynamics during continuous wave laser remelting of a Co-Cr alloy manufactured using selective laser melting. This knowledge will inform process improvement and numerical modeling of laser remelting. A high-intensity X-ray beam imaged a 2 mm × 0.5 mm area of the surface with a 50 kHz framerate. Analysis of these videos quantified the melt pool surface wave movement and compared this to the initial surface features. The results indicate that the keyhole and its characteristic oscillations can suppress large wavelength features on the initial surface.     

激光增材制造钛合金微观组织和力学性能研究进展

激光选区熔化(SLM)技术与激光熔化沉积(LMD)技术在航空航天、生物医疗等领域的应用具有巨大潜力,但由于成形的Ti6Al4V合金构件存在较差的表面质量、较大的残余应力以及内部孔洞等问题,影响了构件的力学性能,从而制约了其大规模的应用。针对这一现状,首先概述了激光选区熔化技术与激光熔化沉积技术的制造原理,比较了2种增材制造技术的成形参数及其特点,并分析了2种不同成形技术的自身优势以及适用场合。其次,从2种增材制造技术成形钛合金的工艺参数入手,综述了激光功率、扫描速度、激光扫描间距、铺粉厚度、粉床温度等参数对SLM工艺成形钛合金的影响,以及激光功率、扫描速度、送粉速率等参数对LMD工艺成形钛合金的影响。发现成形工艺参数直接影响了粉末熔化程度、熔合质量和成形显微结构,从而影响成形件的组织与力学性能。此外,综述了不同的扫描策略对两种增材制造技术成形钛合金的表面质量与力学性能的影响,可以发现在不同扫描策略下同一试样表面的不同区域表面质量、残余应力以及抗拉强度存在较大差异,同一扫描策略下试样的不同表面之间也存在各向异性。最后,探讨了不同热处理工艺对钛合金微观组织和力学性能的影响,通过合适的热处理能够降低成形构件应力,并调控组织相变和性能。     

激光液态填充焊的填材熔化与过渡稳定性

针对激光填丝焊过程中焊丝对入射激光能量的反射、匙孔不稳定等问题,提出了激光液态填充焊方法,采用电弧提前预熔焊丝,让填材以液态方式流入熔池中.分析了激光液态填充焊的熔化、过渡模式,以及工艺参数对过渡模式的影响规律.结果表明,在电弧热作用下焊丝有液桥过渡和滴状过渡两种模式,焊接电流较小时,焊丝的上部熔化,下部依然保持固态,形成稳定的液桥过渡;焊接电流较大时,焊丝端部全部熔化易回缩成球为滴状过渡,过渡稳定性变差.为改善滴状过渡的稳定性,可依靠间隙的毛细作用稳定流入熔池中.激光液态填充焊可降低对匙孔的冲击,提高匙孔的稳定性.     

焊丝熔化方式对激光焊接过程的影响

研究了两种焊丝熔化方法(电弧预熔丝激光焊、激光填丝焊)激光焊接过程对匙孔稳定性以及焊缝成形的影响,进一步研究了焊丝熔化方法对焊接接头质量的影响,并对比分析了两种焊丝熔化方式对焊接速度的适应性. 结果表明,电弧预熔丝激光焊过程中,熔池表面匙孔开口尺寸变化不大,匙孔较为稳定;激光填丝焊方法由于熔化的液态金属距离匙孔边缘很近,焊接过程中熔池表面匙孔开口尺寸变化较大,而且容易出现熔池表面匙孔的闭合. 与激光填丝焊相比,电弧预熔丝激光焊熔化的焊丝端部可以沿熔池边缘流入,与匙孔边缘的距离较远,匙孔稳定性较好,焊缝气孔数量较少. 当焊接速度为8 m/min时,电弧预熔丝激光焊的焊缝成形良好;而激光填丝焊焊缝背面成形不连续,并且出现了未焊透的缺陷.     

激光焊接瞬态小孔与运动熔池行为模拟

提出了一种三维瞬态小孔与瞬态熔池相结合的激光小孔焊接耦合数学模型.该模型综合考虑了多重反射菲尼尔吸收、小孔界面上的间断边界条件、金属蒸气/等离子体的辐射传热、Marangoni力、固-液相间的摩擦力、浮力、粘性力、蒸发潜热、熔化/凝固潜热,以及热传导、对流、辐射等多种因素对激光小孔焊接过程的耦合作用.采用水平集方法和快速扫描方法对小孔演化方程进行求解,得到了三维瞬态小孔形貌;并采用SOLA方法求解了瞬态熔池的三维传热和流动过程.结果表明,该模型能够较好地模拟激光小孔焊接中瞬态小孔和熔池的动态演化行为.     

Effect of Laser Oscillation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Laser Melting Deposition Titanium AlloysEI北大核心CSCD

针对激光熔化沉积冶金组织与缺陷,借鉴激光摆动焊接技术,提出一种激光摆动送粉增材制造TC4钛合金工艺,借助激光原位摆动改变熔池运动轨迹进而影响温度梯度和凝固速率,改善增材制造钛合金的微观组织。利用OM、SEM、EBSD和Vickers硬度计研究了激光摆动送粉增材制造工艺对TC4钛合金微观组织演变及力学性能的影响。结果表明,无摆动激光熔化沉积实验的最佳工艺参数为:激光功率1000 W,扫描速率8 mm/s,送粉速率6.92 g/min;直线型激光摆动的最佳工艺参数为:摆动频率200 Hz,摆动幅度1.5 mm。直线型激光摆动对熔池形貌改善显著,气孔和裂纹等缺陷较少,柱状晶数量和尺寸均有所减小,并且晶粒出现了等轴化的现象。相比无摆动样品,激光摆动后Ti-6Al-4V合金单道区域平均晶粒尺寸从5.20μm减小到4.37μm;硬度从418.00 HV提升到428.75 HV。     

激光熔丝增材制造监测与控制系统研究现状

激光熔丝增材制造作为一种定向能量沉积技术,具有很好的发展前景。文中对国内外激光熔丝增材制造监测与控制系统进行归纳概述。现阶段,国内外激光熔丝增材制造常见的监测系统包括结构光扫描系统、红外测温成像系统等,实时监测沉积层高度、熔池状态;常见的控制系统为以闭环控制策略为主的在线反馈送丝速率控制系统、在线反馈激光功率控制系统等,在线监测系统与控制系统协同作用,能够显著优化增材制造工艺、提高成形质量。介绍了包括三维超声波扫描技术、电磁振动监测技术在内的新兴激光熔丝增材制造监测技术。结合激光熔丝增材制造技术的工艺难题对下一代监测与控制系统进行展望。国内外对沉积层高度和宽度、熔池尺寸和温度等监测对象已有较为充分的研究和试验验证,但在沉积过程中,由于激光的高能量密度会造成高温度梯度,因此对沉积过程在线高精度、高质量监测与控制技术的研究变得至关重要。 创新点： 激光熔丝增材制造成形精度要求高,同时国内外对该技术的相关工艺、成形原位控制的研究处于起步阶段,对沉积层、熔池偏差的实时监测与控制进行深入研究具有重要意义。     

激光选区熔化致密度预测模型建立与工艺验证

致密度是评价增材制造成型件性能的重要参数之一,而高致密度成型件对应的工艺参数需要大量实验研究获得。针对该问题,本文建立了基于工艺参数的熔池致密度预测模型,能够有效地预测熔合不良引起的孔隙,进而为激光选区熔化工艺参数的选择和优化提供更多的参考。模型采用有限元分析和数值计算软件获得熔池尺寸以及模拟多层多道次的熔池拼接形貌,并预测工艺参数对应的致密度。同时在熔池预测模型中引入了波动系数、偏转角度以及层间扫描转角,以此兼顾熔池尺寸波动、熔池倾斜以及层间扫描转角对熔池模拟结果的影响。最终通过HR-2不锈钢选区激光熔化实验对预测模型的可行性进行验证。结果表明,模型预测结果与成型件熔池实验结果吻合较好,致密度预测结果与实测偏差在2%以内。     

激光熔覆熔池动态演化及缺陷工艺调控研究进展

激光熔覆是一种高能束增材修复技术,具有热影响区小、组织性能可控性强、材料选择范围广等系列优势,目前已广泛应用于能源动力等领域关键金属构件的增材制造成形与受损零部件的修复再制造中。激光熔覆是以“激光”为热源的能量沉积技术,包括高能激光束冲击、表面熔池熔化快凝及熔覆表面层形成等多种物理、化学过程,其中熔池内金属热流体动力演化行为与熔覆层缺陷及表层组织性能调控密切相关。金属熔池具有“急热骤冷”的凝固特征,其内部对流、传热和传质等行为决定了熔覆层中温度及应力分布状态,是诱导熔覆层内气孔、裂纹等组织内部缺陷形成的关键因素。从激光熔覆过程中熔池内部对流、传热与传质的动态物理特性出发,论述了激光热源的理论模型设计、动态熔池中“流场+温度场+应力场”的多物理场数值模拟等方面的相关研究。在此基础上,分析了激光熔覆层典型缺陷-裂纹和气孔的形成机理及特征,总结了“材料-工艺-熔凝行为-涂层缺陷”的内在关联机制。同时,针对单一工艺方式调控熔池内熔凝过程的局限性,概述了多种复合能量场调控技术对熔覆层内部缺陷的作用机制与调控效果。最后,总结了当前激光熔覆层缺陷动态形成过程中存在的问题,并对其发展趋势进行了展望。     

An investigation on selective laser melting of Al-Cu-Fe-Cr quasicrystal: From single layer to multilayers

In this study, the effects of processing parameters on the microstructure of Al-Cu-Fe-Cr quasicrystalline (QC) coatings fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) are investigated. A qualitative analysis on the XRD patterns indicates that the phase composition for the SLM processed coating mainly consisted of Al-Cu-Fe-Cr quasicrystals and α-Al (CuFeCr) solid solution, and with increasing laser energy input or coating thickness, the volume fraction of QC i-Al₉₁Fe₄Cr₅ reduced and those of QC d-Al₆₅Cu₂₀Fe₁₀Cr₅ and crystalline θ-Al₂Cu increased. The formation of cracks during the coating building procedure from single layer to multilayers is also discussed. For the coatings with the same layer number, the pores and balling particles diminish as laser power increases, due to the growth of melting degree. At the early stage of fabrication, with increment of layer number (or coating thickness), pores and balling particles decrease considerably because the molten pool solidified more “slowly”. However, after the layer number increases continuously from 10 to 20, the porosity no longer decreases, and some big size pores, microcracks and fractures appear, especially for the sample obtained at lower laser power. A wavy-like pattern composed chiefly of Al and QC phases, is formed at the interfacial region between substrate and coating due to Marangoni effect.