Development and Optimization of Processing Parameters of 316L Stainless Steel and Inconel 718 by Wire Feed Direct Energy Deposition/Laser Beam (W-DED/LB)

Abstract

Within the technologies that make up Additive Manufacturing (AM), one of the ones that have taken the greatest prominence in recent times is DED (Direct Energy Deposition), particularly that of wire feedstock. The W-DED/LB technique has some benefits compared to other AM methods, such as the fabrication of relatively larger parts, repair capabilities of the damaged areas of a component, cladding of different materials on existing parts, and reduced material waste.This study describes the optimisation of processing parameters for the manufacturing stainless steel (SS316L) and Inconel 718 alloys (INC718) using W-DED/LB. This is performed by modifying processing aspects like deposition trajectories, laser power, displacement speeds of the DED head, etc, with the aim of obtaining high deposition rates and a density above 99.5%. Once the alloy systems are optimised, a characterisation campaign has been performed, which includes a series of tests as well for defectology analysis using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT). Finally, the influence of different heat treatments on the tensile behaviour is analysed.This work has developed the technology of DED assembling in a Kuka-robot, so the challenge has not only been to control the DED system, but also the communication with the robotic arm to guarantee perfect harmony between all the parts that make up the W-DED/LB system.