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To, Albert C.

Publications and source records attributed to To, Albert C..

Effect of Processing Parameters on Recrystallization During Hot Isostatic Pressing of Stellite-6 Fabricated Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion Technique

Crack-free Stellite-6 alloy was fabricated using the laser powder bed fusion technique equipped with a heating module as the first attempt. Single tracks were printed with a build plate heated to 400 °C to identify the processing window. Based on the melt pool dimensions, two combinations (sample A: 300 W/750 mm/s and sample B: 275 W/1000 mm/s) were identified to print the cubes. The as-printed microstructure comprised FCC-Co dendrites with M7C3 in the interdendritic region. W-rich M6C particles were found in the overlapping regions between the melt pools, matching the Scheil simulations. However, gas pores were observed due to the higher nitrogen and oxygen content of the feedstock requiring hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1250 °C and 150 MPa for 2 h. Sample A was partially recrystallized with slightly coarsened M7C3, while sample B underwent complete recrystallization followed by grain growth along with higher coarsening of the M7C3 after HIP. The varying recrystallization behavior can be attributed to the difference in residual stresses and grain aspect ratio in the as-built condition dictated by laser power and scanning speed. The microhardness after HIP was slightly higher than its wrought counterpart, indicating no severe impact of post-processing on the properties of Stellite-6 alloy.

Sridar, Soumya (ORCID:0000000306775408)↗

Additive manufacturing of nickel-based superalloys: A state-of-the-art review on process-structure-defect-property relationship

Fusion-based additive manufacturing (AM) has significantly grown to fabricate Nickel-based superalloys with design freedom across multiple length scales. Several phenomena such as feedstock/energy source/melt pool interactions, solidification and phase transformations occur during fusion-based AM processes of Nickel-based superalloys, which determine the ultimate microstructure and mechanical performance of the built parts. In this review, here we elaborate a comprehensive discussion on AM Nickel-based superalloys and influential factors including feedstock characteristics (powder morphology, chemistry, contamination, flowability, recycling) and AM processing (parameters, and powder spreading/wall/balling/spattering effects) on their microstructure (micro-segregation, phases formations and grain structures), defect generation (sub-surface/internal defects, microcracks, surface roughness, and residual stress). Furthermore, the mechanical properties of AM Nickel-based superalloys such as tensile, creep and fatigue at room/elevated temperatures are analyzed in accordance with the initial, and post processing effects. Additionally, the commonly utilized modeling approaches in literature to predict the microstructure and mechanical behavior of these alloys are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and mitigation approaches for future research are identified considering the gaps in the AM Nickel-based superalloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Simultaneous optimization of hatching orientations and lattice density distribution for residual warpage reduction in laser powder bed fusion considering layerwise residual stress stacking

The reduction in the residual warpage generated via fabrication is an emerging issue in metals’ laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (AM). One solution from a design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) perspective is to arrange a hatching strategy that utilizes the asymmetry of the residual stress generated from a molten pool. Another approach is to arrange the geometry of the parts, such as forming an inner lattice structure to arrange the effective stiffness. In this study, the simultaneous optimization of the laser hatching orientation and lattice density distribution was conducted to minimize the residual warpage in lattice infill structures and confirm their synergetic effect. The mutual effect of each layer was highlighted when considering the mechanical background of the optimal results because an imbalance in the residual stress caused the warpage of the AM parts between the layers. The proposed methodology was validated via experimental verification using a quasi-2D plate, 3D bracket, and 3D connecting-rod design problems. The residual warpage in the quasi-2D study, measured as the edge’s vertical deformation, was reduced from 23.4% to 39.4% compared with the benchmark design. In the 3D studies, the warpage reductions ranged from 13.1% to 20.7%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗