TY - JOUR
T1 - Local control of microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength steel in electric arc-based additive manufacturing
AU - Babu, Aravind
AU - Ebrahimi, Amin
AU - Wu, K.
AU - Richardson, Ian M.
AU - Hermans, Marcel J.M.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Additive manufacturing offers a significant potential for producing metallic parts with distinctly localised microstructures and mechanical properties, commonly known as functional grading. While functional grading is generally accomplished through compositional variations or in-situ thermo-mechanical treatments, variation of process parameters during additive manufacturing can offer a promising alternative approach. Focusing on the electric arc-based additive manufacturing process, this work focuses on the functional grading of high-strength steel (S690 grade) by adjusting the travel speed and inter-pass temperature. Through a combination of thermal simulations and experimental measurements on single bead-on-plate depositions, it is shown that the microstructure and the mechanical properties of parts can be controlled through the rational adjustment of process parameters. A rectangular block was fabricated to demonstrate functional grading using a constant wire feed rate and varying travel speed. The rectangular block consisted of a low heat input (LHI) region deposited between high heat input (HHI) zones. A graded microstructure was obtained with the HHI zones composed of a mixture of polygonal ferrite, acicular ferrite, and bainite, while the LHI region was primarily composed of martensite. The hardness and profilometry-based indentation plastometry measurements indicated that the LHI region exhibited higher hardness (32%) and strength (50%), but lower uniform elongation (80%), compared to the HHI zones. The present study demonstrates the potential to achieve functional grading by adjusting process parameters in electric arc-based additive manufacturing, providing opportunities for tailor-made properties in parts.
AB - Additive manufacturing offers a significant potential for producing metallic parts with distinctly localised microstructures and mechanical properties, commonly known as functional grading. While functional grading is generally accomplished through compositional variations or in-situ thermo-mechanical treatments, variation of process parameters during additive manufacturing can offer a promising alternative approach. Focusing on the electric arc-based additive manufacturing process, this work focuses on the functional grading of high-strength steel (S690 grade) by adjusting the travel speed and inter-pass temperature. Through a combination of thermal simulations and experimental measurements on single bead-on-plate depositions, it is shown that the microstructure and the mechanical properties of parts can be controlled through the rational adjustment of process parameters. A rectangular block was fabricated to demonstrate functional grading using a constant wire feed rate and varying travel speed. The rectangular block consisted of a low heat input (LHI) region deposited between high heat input (HHI) zones. A graded microstructure was obtained with the HHI zones composed of a mixture of polygonal ferrite, acicular ferrite, and bainite, while the LHI region was primarily composed of martensite. The hardness and profilometry-based indentation plastometry measurements indicated that the LHI region exhibited higher hardness (32%) and strength (50%), but lower uniform elongation (80%), compared to the HHI zones. The present study demonstrates the potential to achieve functional grading by adjusting process parameters in electric arc-based additive manufacturing, providing opportunities for tailor-made properties in parts.
KW - High-strength steel
KW - Mechanical behaviour
KW - Metal additive manufacturing
KW - Microstructural control
KW - Thermal modelling
KW - Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85167443119&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.07.262
DO - 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.07.262
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85167443119
SN - 2238-7854
VL - 26
SP - 1508
EP - 1526
JO - Journal of Materials Research and Technology
JF - Journal of Materials Research and Technology
ER -