Tailoring microstructures with additive manufacturing

Fig.1 304L stainless steel processed by L-PBF. True stress–strain and work hardening rate of an ex-situ continuous test showing hardening after approximately 0.23 true strain (indicated with a blue dashed line). (b) Evolution of neutron diffraction patterns showing the martensite formation (appearance of the 110BCC, 1010HCP and 10-11HCP reflections) after approximately 0.23 true strain.
Fig.1 304L stainless steel processed by L-PBF. True stress–strain and work hardening rate of an ex-situ continuous test showing hardening after approximately 0.23 true strain (indicated with a blue dashed line). (b) Evolution of neutron diffraction patterns showing the martensite formation (appearance of the 110BCC, 1010HCP and 10-11HCP reflections) after approximately 0.23 true strain [2].
Fig.2 Ni alloy-718 processed by L-PBF. Lattice strain with stress curves for the {111}, {200}, {220} and {311} lattice plane families along the loading direction shown together with work hardening for (a) the as-built specimen and (b) the annealed specimen, using in situ neutron diffraction under uniaxial tension. Synchrotron XRD patterns (points) and Rietveld refinement pattern (green line) for (c) as-built and (d) annealed specimen.
Fig. 2 Ni alloy-718 processed by L-PBF. Lattice strain with stress curves for the {111}, {200}, {220} and {311} lattice plane families along the loading direction shown together with work hardening for (a) the as-built specimen and (b) the annealed specimen, using in situ neutron diffraction under uniaxial tension. Synchrotron XRD patterns (points) and Rietveld refinement pattern (green line) for (c) as-built and (d) annealed specimen [3].

Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) is a rapidly developing additive manufacturing method that has revolutionized the manufacturing sector. L-PBF offers the possibility to manufacture near-net-shape complex objects, but in the meantime, bears the promise of achieving complex microstructures or multimaterials, through local manipulation of the process parameters. Several processing parameters, including layer thickness, scanning strategy, hatch distance, spot size, laser focus, and power of the laser have to be optimized for L-PBF to achieve dense parts and the desired microstructures. The thermal history that each layer undergoes is greatly affected by the building parameters and hence the final microstructure and the mechanical properties are sensitive to the building parameters. Moreover, post-built heat treatments are able to relieve the residual stresses that build up [1] and to affect the material properties, already attained during the L-PBF process.

Within two ongoing projects we utilize L-PBF techniques for optimizing the mechanical behavior of two classes of technologically important alloy systems: austenitic stainless steels and nickel superalloys. By exploiting L-PBF, we manipulate the crystallographic texture of austenitic stainless steels, which leads to enhanced martensite formation/deformation twinning under deformation, and thus to enhanced strength and ductility [2]. We utilize neutron diffraction to follow the deformation behavior or these alloys, while in situ neutron/synchrotron X-ray diffraction during annealing are applied to follow the stress evolution and the precipitation in nickel superalloys produced by different AM process parameters [3].

The goal of these studies is to understand better the link between process parameters post-build treatments and materials properties and to be able to realize complex parts with tailored microstructures that best meet the mechanical requirements of the components under service conditions.

Publications
1. S. Goel, M. Neikter, J. Capek, EE. Polatidis, M.H. Colliander, S Joshi, R. Pederson ” Residual stress determination by neutron diffraction in powder bed fusion-built Alloy 718: Influence of process parameters and post-treatment” Materials and Desing. 2020; 195: 109045
2. E. Polatidis, J.Čapek, A.Arabi-Hashemi, C.Leinenbach, M.Strobl “High ductility and transformation-induced-plasticity in metastable stainless steel processed by selective laser melting with low power” Scripta Materialia. 2020; 176:53-57
3. J.Čapek, E. Polatidis, M. Knapek, C. Lyphout, N. Casati, R. Pederson, M. Strobl “The Effect of γ″ and δ Phase Precipitation on the Mechanical Properties of Inconel 718 Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting: An In Situ Neutron Diffraction and Acoustic Emission Study” JOM. 2021; 73:223-232
Collaboration
  • Prof. R. Loge EPFL
  • Dr C. Leinenbach, EMPA
Funding
  • SNSF Projects No. 200021_188767
  • ETH Domain SFA-AM
  •  Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 701647
Associated junior researchers
  •  C. Sofras, Dr. J. Capek
Contact
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