Abstract Scope |
Metal powders are a prominent feedstock used for fusion-based additive manufacturing processes and are produced within the same compositional limits as their wrought counterparts. However, small additions of interstitial alloying elements, which are not typically monitored, can impact the microstructural evolution during both additive manufacturing and post-process heat treatments. For example, high oxygen levels in stainless steels drive the formation of oxygen-rich inclusions that impact microstructural formation, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior. Solid solution strengthened nickel base alloys were influenced by high nitrogen levels that drove the formation of nitride-based phases in the as deposited condition and persist through post-processing. Emerging computational tools are being combined with in situ and ex situ high resolution characterization techniques to identify these phases and build databases for predicting microstructural evolution and material properties and performance. |