Additive Manufacturing of Aluminum Alloys

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sriram Praneeth Isanaka ◽  
Sreekar Karnati ◽  
Frank Liou
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Aluminum Alloys ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Additive Manufacture ◽  
Silicon Alloys ◽  
Aluminum Silicon Alloys ◽  
Grain Structures ◽  
Direct Energy ◽  
Am Processes

Successful additive manufacturing (AM) of aluminum alloys has been demonstrated using a number of processes, which is the focus of this article. Utilization of some aluminum alloys with relatively low reflectivity coupled with process optimization to achieve high retained energy densities enabled the successful deposition of aluminum–silicon alloys that were previously manufactured exclusively using casting processes. The design flexibility of AM processes coupled to the ability to direct energy and material to specific spatial locations has also been used to demonstrate the ability to join dissimilar aluminum alloys, with applicability toward functional grading and repair. Researchers have shown that the additively manufactured alloys exhibit comparable and, in cases, improved mechanical properties to their conventional counterparts with highly refined grain structures. Elaborate investigations into their microstructures to determine the causality of the mechanical properties are also discussed in detail. Understanding the relationship between these desired high retained energy densities and the factors favoring them, including the alloy composition, input energy, and the deposition speed and volume, plays a pivotal role toward successful additive manufacture. With further process parameter optimization and the development of raw material supply chains that can create and tailor alloys based on need, the applicability of these AM processes can be adapted to many more aluminum alloys and can be tailored to serve a wide range of industries.

REYNOLDS 390 and A390

Alloy Digest ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Wear Resistance ◽  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
High Hardness ◽  
Heat Treating ◽  
Silicon Alloys ◽  
Aluminum Silicon Alloys ◽  
Temperature Performance

Abstract REYNOLDS 390 and A390 are hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys having excellent wear resistance coupled with good mechanical properties, high hardness, and low coefficients of expansion. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, elasticity, and tensile properties as well as fatigue. It also includes information on high temperature performance and corrosion resistance as well as casting, heat treating, and machining. Filing Code: Al-203. Producer or source: Reynolds Metals Company.

Recent Developments of the Multiphysics Discrete Element Method for Additive Manufacturing Modeling and Simulation

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Steuben ◽  
Athanasios P. Iliopoulos ◽  
John G. Michopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Discrete Element Method ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Additive Manufacture ◽  
Computational Tools ◽  
Computational Performance ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Am Processes ◽  
Element Method

Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the development and usage of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies for a broad range of scientific and industrial purposes. The drastic microstructural differences between materials produced via AM and conventional methods has motivated the development of computational tools that model and simulate AM processes in order to facilitate their control for the purpose of optimizing the desired outcomes. This paper discusses recent advances in the continuing development of the Multiphysics Discrete Element Method (MDEM) for the simulation of AM processes. This particle-based method elegantly encapsulates the relevant physics of powder-based AM processes. In particular, the enrichment of the underlying constitutive behaviors to include thermoplasticity is discussed, as are methodologies for modeling the melting and re-solidification of the feedstock materials. Algorithmic improvements that increase computational performance are also discussed. The MDEM is demonstrated to enable the simulation of the additive manufacture of macro-scale components. Concluding remarks are given on the tasks required for the future development of the MDEM, and the topic of experimental validation is also discussed.

Approximate Functionally Graded Materials for Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuen-Shan Leung ◽  
Huachao Mao ◽  
Yong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Functionally Graded Materials ◽  
Functionally Graded ◽  
Gradual Transition ◽  
Material Distribution ◽  
Graded Materials ◽  
Base Materials ◽  
Multiple Materials ◽  
Am Processes

Functionally graded materials (FGM) possess superior properties of multiple materials due to the continuous transitions of these materials. Recent progresses in multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) processes enable the creation of arbitrary material composition, which significantly enlarges the manufacturing capability of FGMs. At the same time, the fabrication capability also introduces new challenges for the design of FGMs. A critical issue is to create the continuous material distribution under the fabrication constraints of multi-material AM processes. Using voxels to approximate gradient material distribution could be one plausible way for additive manufacturing. However, current FGM design methods are non-additive-manufacturing-oriented and unpredictable. For instance, some designs require a vast number of materials to achieve continuous transitions; however, the material choices that are available in a multi-material AM machine are rather limited. Other designs control the volume fraction of two materials to achieve gradual transition; however, such transition cannot be functionally guaranteed. To address these issues, we present a design and fabrication framework for FGMs that can efficiently and effectively generate printable and predictable FGM structures. We adopt a data-driven approach to approximate the behavior of FGM using two base materials. A digital material library is constructed with different combinations of the base materials, and their mechanical properties are extracted by Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The mechanical properties are then used for the conversion process between the FGM and the dual material structure such that similar behavior is guaranteed. An error diffusion algorithm is further developed to minimize the approximation error. Simulation results on four test cases show that our approach is robust and accurate, and the framework can successfully design and fabricate such FGM structures.

Additive Manufacturing of Nickel-Based Super Alloys for Aero Engine Applications

2020 ◽  
pp. 48-70
Author(s):  
Raja A. ◽  
Mythreyi O. V. ◽  
Jayaganthan R.
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Complex Geometry ◽  
Source Parameters ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Powder Bed ◽  
Complex Design ◽  
Direct Energy ◽  
Second Phases ◽  
Metal Addition

Ni based super alloys are widely used in engine turbines because of their proven performance at high temperatures. Manufacturing these parts by additive manufacturing (AM) methods provides researchers a lot of creative space for complex design to improve efficiency. Powder bed fusion (PBF) and direct energy deposition (DED) are the two most widely-used metal AM methods. Both methods are influenced by the source, parameters, design, and raw material. Selective laser melting is one of the laser-based PBF techniques to create small layer thickness and complex geometry with greater accuracy and properties. The layer-by-layer metal addition generates epitaxial growth and solidification in the built direction. There are different second phases in the Ni-based superalloys. This chapter details the micro-segregation of these particles and its influence on the microstructure, and mechanical properties are dependent on the process influencing parameters, the thermal kinetics during the process, and the post-processing treatments.

The Effects of Microstructure on Properties

2004 ◽  
pp. 39-46
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Grain Size ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Intermetallic Phases ◽  
Primary Phase ◽  
Silicon Alloys ◽  
Aluminum Silicon Alloys ◽  
Aluminum Castings ◽  
Eutectic Modification ◽  
Grain Size And Shape

Abstract In castings, microstructural features are products of metal chemistry and solidification conditions. The microstructural features, excluding defects, that most strongly affect the mechanical properties or aluminum castings are size, form, and distribution of intermetallic phases; dendrite arm spacing; grain size and shape; and eutectic modification and primary phase refinement. This chapter discusses the effects of these microstructural features on properties and methods for controlling them. The chapter concludes with a detailed examination of the refinement of hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys.

The Environmental Impacts of Metal Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiankan Liao ◽  
Daniel R. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Metal Powder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Powder Bed ◽  
Direct Energy ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Am Processes

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) is widely recognized as a critical pillar of advanced manufacturing and is moving from the design shop to the factory floor. As AM processes become more popular, it is paramount that engineers and policymakers understand and then reduce their environmental impacts. This article structures the current work on the environmental impacts of metal powder bed processes: selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), electron beam melting (EBM), and binder jetting (BJ). We review the potential benefits and pitfalls of AM in each phase of a part's lifecycle and in different application domains (e.g., remanufacturing and hybrid manufacturing). We highlight critical uncertainties and future research directions throughout. The environmental impacts of AM are sensitive to the specific production and use-phase context; however, several broad lessons can be extracted from the literature. Unlike in conventional manufacturing, powder bed production impacts are dominated by the generation of the direct energy (electricity) required to operate the AM machines. Combined with a more energy-intensive feedstock (metal powder), this means that powder bed production impacts are higher than in conventional manufacturing unless production volumes are very small (saving tool production impacts), and/or there are significant material savings through part light weighting or improved buy-to-fly ratios.

scholarly journals Use of Miniature Step Gauges to Assess the Performance of 3D Optical Scanners and to Evaluate the Accuracy of a Novel Additive Manufacture Process

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Grazia Guerra ◽  
Leonardo De Chiffre ◽  
Fulvio Lavecchia ◽  
Luigi Maria Galantucci
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Uncertainty Budget ◽  
Polyphenylene Sulfide ◽  
Additive Manufacture ◽  
Optical Scanners ◽  
Manufacture Process ◽  
Structured Light Scanner ◽  
Line Scanner ◽  
Am Processes ◽  
Good Agreement

In this work, we show how miniature step gauges featuring unidirectional and bidirectional lengths can be used to assess the performance of 3D optical scanners as well as the accuracy of novel Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. A miniature step gauge made of black polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) was used for the performance verification of three different optical scanners: a structured light scanner (SLS), a laser line scanner (LLS), and a photogrammetry-based scanner (PSSRT), having comparable resolutions and working volumes. Results have shown a good agreement between the involved scanners, with errors below 5 μm and expanded uncertainties below 10 μm. The step gauge geometry due to the bidirectional lengths, highlights that there is a different interaction between the optical properties of the step gauge under measurement and each optical instrument involved and this aspect has to be considered in the uncertainty budget. The same geometry, due to its great significance in the detection of systematic errors, was used, as a novelty, to evaluate the accuracy of Lithography-based Ceramics Manufacturing (LCM), a proprietary additive manufacturing technology used for the fabrication of medical implants. In particular, two miniature step gauges made of Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) were produced. Measurements conducted with the SLS scanner were characterized by a negligible error and by an uncertainty of about 5 μm. Deviations of the manufactured step gauges with respect to the Computer Aided Designed (CAD) model were comprised between ±50 μm, with positive deviations in the order of 100 μm on vertical sides. Differences in the order of 50 μm between the two step gauges were registered.

Comparing the Sustainability Performance of Metal-Based Additive Manufacturing Processes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rothanak Chan ◽  
Sriram Manoharan ◽  
Karl R. Haapala
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Powder Bed ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Quantitative Metrics ◽  
Direct Energy ◽  
Approach Method ◽  
Am Processes ◽  
Wire Feed

While there have been many advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for metal products, there has not been a great deal of attention paid toward developing an understanding of the relative sustainability performance of various AM processes for production of aerospace components, such as wire feed and powder bed fusion processes. This research presents a method to calculate and compare quantitative metrics for evaluating metal AM process on a basis of sustainability performance. The process-level evaluation method encompasses a triple bottom line analysis for low volume part production. A representative aerospace titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) component is considered for the study and the production of the part is modeled using direct energy deposition (DED) as the representative wire feed AM process and selective laser melting (SLM) as the representative powder bed AM process. The results indicate that DED has a superior sustainability performance to SLM, mainly due to the relatively slower deposition rate and higher cost of material for SLM than DED. This research provides decision makers an approach method and a demonstrated case study in comparing DED and SLM AM processes. This understanding reveals advantages between the two options and offers avenues of future investigation for these technologies for further development and larger scale use.

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