About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advances in Metal Matrix Composites: Processing, Additive Manufacturing, and Applications
|
| Presentation Title |
Microstructural Behaviour of Carbide-Reinforced Steel Metal Matrix Composites through Hybrid Wire–Powder Plasma Arc Directed Energy Deposition |
| Author(s) |
Ziad Elsayed, Rafael Paiotti, Peter Mayr |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Rafael Paiotti |
| Abstract Scope |
This work presents a hybrid wire–powder Plasma Arc Directed Energy Deposition (DED-PA) approach for the in-situ fabrication of carbide-reinforced steel metal matrix composites (MMCs). An auxiliary powder feeder was integrated into a wire-based plasma DED system, enabling simultaneous deposition of G3Si1 steel wire with WC and TiC reinforcements. Process optimisation established a stable processing window through control of powder delivery and thermal management. Microstructural investigations revealed that carbide particles acted not only as reinforcements but also as alloying sources. Partial carbide dissolution promoted diffusion of W, Ti, and C into the steel matrix, producing graded particle–matrix interfaces, local chemical heterogeneities, and altered solidification and transformation behaviour. Substrate preheating reduced cracking and porosity while improving deposit integrity. The results demonstrate the potential of hybrid DED-PA to tailor microstructures in steel-based MMCs and enable the development of functionally graded, application-specific materials. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Additive Manufacturing, Composites, Characterization |