Editorial

10 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Frontiers of Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials

by Amir A. Zadpoor

Materials 2018, 11(9), 1566; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma11091566 - 30 Aug 2018

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4077

Additive manufacturing (AM) (=3D printing) has emerged during the last few years as a powerful technological platform for fabrication of functional parts with unique complex geometries and superior functionalities that are next to impossible to achieve using conventional manufacturing techniques. Due to their [...] Read more.

Additive manufacturing (AM) (=3D printing) has emerged during the last few years as a powerful technological platform for fabrication of functional parts with unique complex geometries and superior functionalities that are next to impossible to achieve using conventional manufacturing techniques. Due to their importance in industrial applications and the maturity of the applicable AM techniques, metallic materials are at the forefront of the developments in AM. In this editorial, which has been written as a preamble to the special issue “Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials”, I will highlight some of the frontiers of research on AM of metallic materials to help readers better understand the cutting edge of research in this area. Some of these topics are addressed in the articles appearing in this special issue, while others constitute worthy avenues for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

Research

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14 pages, 5459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Powder Characteristics on Processability of AlSi12 Alloy Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

by Rustam Baitimerov, Pavel Lykov, Dmitry Zherebtsov, Ludmila Radionova, Alexey Shultc and Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth

Materials 2018, 11(5), 742; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma11050742 - 07 May 2018

Cited by 102 | Viewed by 7546

Abstract

Selective laser melting (SLM) is one of the additive manufacturing technologies that allows for the production of parts with complex shapes from either powder feedstock or from wires. Aluminum alloys have a great potential for use in SLM especially in automotive and aerospace [...] Read more.

Selective laser melting (SLM) is one of the additive manufacturing technologies that allows for the production of parts with complex shapes from either powder feedstock or from wires. Aluminum alloys have a great potential for use in SLM especially in automotive and aerospace fields. This paper studies the influence of starting powder characteristics on the processability of SLM fabricated AlSi12 alloy. Three different batches of gas atomized powders from different manufacturers were processed by SLM. The powders differ in particle size and its distribution, morphology and chemical composition. Cubic specimens (10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm) were fabricated by SLM from the three different powder batches using optimized process parameters. The fabrication conditions were kept similar for the three powder batches. The influence of powder characteristics on porosity and microstructure of the obtained specimens were studied in detail. The SLM samples produced from the three different powder batches do not show any significant variations in their structural aspects. However, the microstructural aspects differ and the amount of porosity in these three specimens vary significantly. It shows that both the flowability of the powder and the apparent density have an influential role on the processability of AlSi12 SLM samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

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20 pages, 5944 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties of a Newly Additive Manufactured Implant Material Based on Ti-42Nb

by Christian Schulze, Markus Weinmann, Christoph Schweigel, Olaf Keßler and Rainer Bader

Materials 2018, 11(1), 124; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma11010124 - 13 Jan 2018

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 9716

Abstract

The application of Ti-6Al-4V alloy or commercially pure titanium for additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of complex structural implants and patient-specific implant geometries. However, the difference in Young’s modulus of α + β-phase Ti alloys compared to the human bone promotes stress-shielding effects [...] Read more.

The application of Ti-6Al-4V alloy or commercially pure titanium for additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of complex structural implants and patient-specific implant geometries. However, the difference in Young’s modulus of α + β-phase Ti alloys compared to the human bone promotes stress-shielding effects in the implant–bone interphase. The aim of the present study is the mechanical characterization of a new pre-alloyed β-phase Ti-42Nb alloy for application in additive manufacturing. The present investigation focuses on the mechanical properties of SLM-printed Ti-42Nb alloy in tensile and compression tests. In addition, the raw Ti-42Nb powder, the microstructure of the specimens prior to and after compression tests, as well as the fracture occurring in tensile tests are characterized by means of the SEM/EDX analysis. The Ti-42Nb raw powder exhibits a dendrite-like Ti-structure, which is melted layer-by-layer into a microstructure with a very homogeneous distribution of Nb and Ti during the SLM process. Tensile tests display Young’s modulus of 60.51 ± 3.92 GPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 683.17 ± 16.67 MPa, whereas, under a compressive load, a compressive strength of 1330.74 ± 53.45 MPa is observed. The combination of high mechanical strength and low elastic modulus makes Ti-42Nb an interesting material for orthopedic and dental implants. The spherical shape of the pre-alloyed material additionally allows for application in metal 3D printing, enabling the fabrication of patient-specific structural implants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

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11815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional (3D) Printing of Polymer-Metal Hybrid Materials by Fused Deposition Modeling

by Susanna Fafenrot, Nils Grimmelsmann, Martin Wortmann and Andrea Ehrmann

Materials 2017, 10(10), 1199; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma10101199 - 19 Oct 2017

Cited by 117 | Viewed by 16041

Abstract

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a three-dimensional (3D) printing technology that is usually performed with polymers that are molten in a printer nozzle and placed line by line on the printing bed or the previous layer, respectively. Nowadays, hybrid materials combining polymers with [...] Read more.

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a three-dimensional (3D) printing technology that is usually performed with polymers that are molten in a printer nozzle and placed line by line on the printing bed or the previous layer, respectively. Nowadays, hybrid materials combining polymers with functional materials are also commercially available. Especially combinations of polymers with metal particles result in printed objects with interesting optical and mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of objects printed with two of these metal-polymer blends were compared to common poly (lactide acid) (PLA) printed objects. Tensile tests and bending tests show that hybrid materials mostly containing bronze have significantly reduced mechanical properties. Tensile strengths of the 3D-printed objects were unexpectedly nearly identical with those of the original filaments, indicating sufficient quality of the printing process. Our investigations show that while FDM printing allows for producing objects with mechanical properties similar to the original materials, metal-polymer blends cannot be used for the rapid manufacturing of objects necessitating mechanical strength. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

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11916 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Functionalization of Biomedical Ti6Al4V via In Situ Alloying by Cu during Laser Powder Bed Fusion Manufacturing

by Pavel Krakhmalev, Igor Yadroitsev, Ina Yadroitsava and Olga De Smidt

Materials 2017, 10(10), 1154; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma10101154 - 03 Oct 2017

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5090

Abstract

The modern medical industry successfully utilizes Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) to manufacture complex custom implants. Ti6Al4V is one of the most commonly used biocompatible alloys. In surgery practice, infection at the bone–implant interface is one of the key reasons for implant failure. [...] Read more.

The modern medical industry successfully utilizes Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) to manufacture complex custom implants. Ti6Al4V is one of the most commonly used biocompatible alloys. In surgery practice, infection at the bone–implant interface is one of the key reasons for implant failure. Therefore, advanced implants with biocompatibility and antibacterial properties are required. Modification of Ti alloy with Cu, which in small concentrations is a proven non-toxic antibacterial agent, is an attractive way to manufacture implants with embedded antibacterial functionality. The possibility of achieving alloying in situ, during manufacturing, is a unique option of the LPBF technology. It provides unique opportunities to manufacture customized implant shapes and design new alloys. Nevertheless, optimal process parameters need to be established for the in situ alloyed materials to form dense parts with required mechanical properties. This research is dedicated to an investigation of Ti6Al4V (ELI)-1 at % Cu material, manufactured by LPBF from a mixture of Ti6Al4V (ELI) and pure Cu powders. The effect of process parameters on surface roughness, chemical composition and distribution of Cu was investigated. Chemical homogeneity was discussed in relation to differences in the viscosity and density of molten Cu and Ti6Al4V. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture behavior of as-built 3D samples were analyzed and discussed. Pilot antibacterial functionalization testing of Ti6Al4V (ELI) in situ alloyed with 1 at % Cu showed promising results and notable reduction in the growth of pure cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

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6018 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of Selective Laser-Melted Stainless Steel

by Leonhard Hitzler, Johann Hirsch, Burkhard Heine, Markus Merkel, Wayne Hall and Andreas Öchsner

Materials 2017, 10(10), 1136; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma10101136 - 26 Sep 2017

Cited by 156 | Viewed by 9422

Abstract

The thorough description of the peculiarities of additively manufactured (AM) structures represents a current challenge for aspiring freeform fabrication methods, such as selective laser melting (SLM). These methods have an immense advantage in the fast fabrication (no special tooling or moulds required) of [...] Read more.

The thorough description of the peculiarities of additively manufactured (AM) structures represents a current challenge for aspiring freeform fabrication methods, such as selective laser melting (SLM). These methods have an immense advantage in the fast fabrication (no special tooling or moulds required) of components, geometrical flexibility in their design, and efficiency when only small quantities are required. However, designs demand precise knowledge of the material properties, which in the case of additively manufactured structures are anisotropic and, under certain circumstances, inhomogeneous in nature. Furthermore, these characteristics are highly dependent on the fabrication settings. In this study, the anisotropic tensile properties of selective laser-melted stainless steel (1.4404, 316L) are investigated: the Young’s modulus ranged from 148 to 227 GPa, the ultimate tensile strength from 512 to 699 MPa, and the breaking elongation ranged, respectively, from 12% to 43%. The results were compared to related studies in order to classify the influence of the fabrication settings. Furthermore, the influence of the chosen raw material was addressed by comparing deviations on the directional dependencies reasoned from differing microstructural developments during manufacture. Stainless steel was found to possess its maximum strength at a 45° layer versus loading offset, which is precisely where AlSi10Mg was previously reported to be at its weakest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

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7844 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Processing Parameters on Surface Roughness of Additive Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V via Electron Beam Melting

by Pan Wang, Wai Jack Sin, Mui Ling Sharon Nai and Jun Wei

Materials 2017, 10(10), 1121; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma10101121 - 22 Sep 2017

Cited by 116 | Viewed by 9702

Abstract

As one of the powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technologies, electron beam melting (EBM) is gaining more and more attention due to its near-net-shape production capacity with low residual stress and good mechanical properties. These characteristics also allow EBM built parts to be [...] Read more.

As one of the powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technologies, electron beam melting (EBM) is gaining more and more attention due to its near-net-shape production capacity with low residual stress and good mechanical properties. These characteristics also allow EBM built parts to be used as produced without post-processing. However, the as-built rough surface introduces a detrimental influence on the mechanical properties of metallic alloys. Thereafter, understanding the effects of processing parameters on the part’s surface roughness, in turn, becomes critical. This paper has focused on varying the processing parameters of two types of contouring scanning strategies namely, multispot and non-multispot, in EBM. The results suggest that the beam current and speed function are the most significant processing parameters for non-multispot contouring scanning strategy. While for multispot contouring scanning strategy, the number of spots, spot time, and spot overlap have greater effects than focus offset and beam current. The improved surface roughness has been obtained in both contouring scanning strategies. Furthermore, non-multispot contouring scanning strategy gives a lower surface roughness value and poorer geometrical accuracy than the multispot counterpart under the optimized conditions. These findings could be used as a guideline for selecting the contouring type used for specific industrial parts that are built using EBM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

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5815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Simulation of Process Windows for Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing: Influence of the Powder Bulk Density

by Alexander M. Rausch, Vera E. Küng, Christoph Pobel, Matthias Markl and Carolin Körner

Materials 2017, 10(10), 1117; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma10101117 - 22 Sep 2017

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 9232

Abstract

The resulting properties of parts fabricated by powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes are determined by their porosity, local composition, and microstructure. The objective of this work is to examine the influence of the stochastic powder bed on the process window for dense [...] Read more.

The resulting properties of parts fabricated by powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes are determined by their porosity, local composition, and microstructure. The objective of this work is to examine the influence of the stochastic powder bed on the process window for dense parts by means of numerical simulation. The investigations demonstrate the unique capability of simulating macroscopic domains in the range of millimeters with a mesoscopic approach, which resolves the powder bed and the hydrodynamics of the melt pool. A simulated process window reveals the influence of the stochastic powder layer. The numerical results are verified with an experimental process window for selective electron beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V. Furthermore, the influence of the powder bulk density is investigated numerically. The simulations predict an increase in porosity and surface roughness for samples produced with lower powder bulk densities. Due to its higher probability for unfavorable powder arrangements, the process stability is also decreased. This shrinks the actual parameter range in a process window for producing dense parts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)

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