Dear All,
Complex microstructure are commonly encountered in 3D printed metallic alloys using selective laser deposition or directed energy deposition. Often these microstructure can bring about unusual properties, which can be beneficial in one case or detrimental in another case. Heat treatment in a furnace is one way to tailor the microstructure. Are there other effective processing routes, thermal, mechanical or others to modify the microstructure after the alloy materials are printed?
Thanks,
Huilong
It would be better to avoid formation of the complex microstructure during printing something like in http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v549/n7672/full/nature23894.html.
Common post treatment processes include
heat treatment__recystallization, phase transformation, solid solution, aging, HIP.
Surface treatment_ Peening, carburizing, etc
Hi Huilong Hou,
Thanks for the interesting and up-to-date topic raised. Problem of residual stresses in the process of building the model leading to an imbalance in the structure of the 3D Printed Model. Often, in order to eliminate tensions and improve the microstructure, various processing techniques (thermal treatment, chemico-thermal, plastic, etc.), as mentioned by Xu Wang, are applied. These treatments cause the 3D printed model to deform. These deformations may be crunch and macro large. This depends on the residual stresses in the obtained model. It is difficult to say which process is best suited. I think that these problems in the near future will be solved, because this path of technology development.
Wishing for success
Emil Yankov
Hi Xu,
Thanks for the information. The microstructure can be beneficial in one case or detrimental in another case due to microstructure-property relation. We just need routes to control the microstructure. Aging is the ongoing post-treatment and peening might be worthy of trying as well. As for the article that you shared, identifying the correct nanoparticles of nucleants to control solidification is critical, which may require efforts.
Huilong
Hi Emil Hristov,
Thanks for the notes. I agree that tension-induced cracking is a problem in 3D printing. Now, the efforts here is to process the metallic alloys after 3D printing, so that we have ways to change the microstructure of already-printed alloys. Controlling the microstructure during printing is one way. Now as in conventional printing, we would like to add processing route from post-treatment to tailor. Aging and peening seem to our next series of attempts. Thanks,
Huilong
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