| Abstract Scope |
Additive manufacturing has the unique ability to produce net-shaped parts with geometrical complexities and minimize assembly and machining needs. However, for additively manufactured (AM) parts to be trusted in load-bearing, safety-critical applications, their structural integrity must be well characterized. Bridging this gap is a complex undertaking, as there are many challenges specific to evaluating AM material properties and part performance. Specifically, thermal history, which can dictate a part’s microstructure and defects, not only depends on process parameters but also the part’s geometry and size. Accordingly, mechanical properties of AM specimens may not represent those of the service parts due to their size/shape mismatch, and significant variability in performance can exist among parts. As such, current standards for mechanical testing, specimen design, and post-manufacturing, etc., may need revision. This presentation will overview the challenges associated with generating AM materials data and demonstrate the need for establishing feedstock-process-structure-property-performance relationships for AM materials/parts. |