No abstract

In the field of tool making, Laser Beam Melting of metals has been already used to fabricate injection moulds with complex inner cooling channels made out of the low-carbon maraging tool steel X3NiCoMoTi18-9-5 (1.2709). Furthermore, laser metal deposition (LMD) is an established technology for the repair of worn-out tools and the deposition of wear resistance coatings based on metal matrix composites. However, at the moment, the processing of high-carbon tool steels for the additive manufacturing of complete cold forging tools has only been investigated to a limited extent. Within the scope of the presented research, the processing of the high-carbon cold-work tool steel 60CrMoV18-5 (1.2358) by LMD is analyzed in detail. In this context, geometrically simple cuboidal structures are directly generated on dissimilar substrate plates made out of the hot-work tool steel X37CrMoV5-1(1.2343) via the application of various process parameter combinations. The manufactured cuboidal structures are metallographically prepared and subsequently analyzed with respect to substrate bonding, relative density, defect formation, microstructure, chemical composition, and microhardness. In this context, the influence of the particle size distribution of the used tool steel powder on the LMD process itself and the resulting relative density are extensively researched. For this purpose, high-speed camera measurements of the powder particle stream were conducted in order to determine both the powder particle stream diameter and the lateral powder particle distribution with regard to the distance z from the powder nozzle. Furthermore, the influence of an additional substrate preheating (maximum preheating temperature of 400 °C) on the resulting microstructure and hardness of the additively generated samples is the subject of the presented investigations.

Within the scope of the presented work the processing of AISI H11 (1.2343 or X37CrMoV5-1) tool steel powder modified by adding carbon black nanoparticles in varying concentrations by means of Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) is extensively investigated. On the basis of single weld track experiments, multi-layered cuboid-shaped samples made out of pure AISI H11 tool steel powder as well as modified tool steel powder mixtures were manufactured by applying various process parameters. The main scientific aim of the investigations was to achieve a basic understanding of the influence of the added carbon black nanoparticles on the resulting sample properties. For that purpose, the generated specimens were first analyzed with respect to relative density, inner defects, microstructure, Vickers hardness and chemical composition. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of post-heat-treated specimens were investigated, with the focus on the yield strength (Y0.2%), by means of compression tests. We prove that by adding carbon black nanoparticles to the initial AISI H11 powder, the formation of martensitic and bainitic phases, as well as the precipitation of carbides at the grain boundaries, are enhanced. As a result, a significant increase of Vickers hardness and of the compression yield strength by up to 11% can be achieved in comparison to samples made out of the unmodified AISI H11 powder. Furthermore, it can be fundamentally demonstrated that the fabrication of parts with layer-specific variable hardness can be realized by the controlled changing of the powder mixtures used during the layer-by-layer manufacturing approach.

The aim of this work is to investigate the β-Ti-phase-stabilizing effect of vanadium and iron added to Ti-6Al-4V powder by means of heterogeneous powder mixtures and in situ alloy-formation during laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The resulting microstructure was analyzed by metallographic methods, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The mechanical properties were characterized by compression tests, both prior to and after heat-treating. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed a homogeneous element distribution, proving the feasibility of in situ alloying by LPBF. Due to the β-phase-stabilizing effect of V and Fe added to Ti-6Al-4V, instead of an α’-martensitic microstructure, an α/β-microstructure containing at least 63.8% β-phase develops. Depending on the post L-PBF heat-treatment, either an increased upsetting at failure (33.9%) compared to unmodified Ti-6Al-4V (28.8%), or an exceptional high compressive yield strength (1857 ± 35 MPa compared to 1100 MPa) were measured. The hardness of the in situ alloyed material ranges from 336 ± 7 HV0.5, in as-built condition, to 543 ± 13 HV0.5 after precipitation-hardening. Hence, the range of achievable mechanical properties in dependence of the post-L-PBF heat-treatment can be significantly expanded in comparison to unmodified Ti-6Al-4V, thus providing increased flexibility for additive manufacturing of titanium parts.

Lightweight and functional integration are two major drivers for additive manufacturing technologies. In order to integrate functionality, the use of smart materials like Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys (SMAs) is a constructive approach. Generally, shape memory alloys are hard to machine and at the same time expensive materials. In this context, additive manufacturing processes like laser metal deposition are reasonable technologies to process these materials as the used powder can be recycled and near net shape geometry can be generated due to a layer-by-layer build-up process. For actuator applications, it might be reasonable to use hybrid systems, meaning just certain sections of a part are made of a shape memory material. One possible example is a NiTi shape memory element on a Ti sheet metal. Due to the varying coefficients of thermal expansion, a dissimilar build-up by means of laser metal deposition without any defects like cracks is challenging. In this paper, an approach that applies preheating is presented to generate SMA elements additively on dissimilar substrates by means of laser metal deposition. Subject of investigations are varying process parameter combinations (e.g., laser power, feed rate, and powder mass flow) and varying preheating temperatures. Based on metallographic analyses, the generated samples are evaluated. Major objective of these analyses are a defect free connection. Additionally, the forming microstructure and the occurring dilution zone are analyzed. In order to characterize the influence of different preheating strategies on the hardness and on the transformations temperatures of the generated parts, the results of hardness measurements and differential scanning calorimetry measurements are presented.