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DOE OSTI2022

An instrument for in situ characterization of powder spreading dynamics in powder-bed-based additive manufacturing processes

In powder-bed-based metal additive manufacturing (AM), the visualization and analysis of the powder spreading process are critical for understanding the powder spreading dynamics and mechanisms. Unfortunately, the high spreading speeds, the small size of the powder, and the opacity of the materials present a great challenge for directly observing the powder spreading behavior. In this study, we report a compact and flexible powder spreading system for in situ characterization of the dynamics of the powders during the spreading process by high-speed x-ray imaging. The system enables the tracing of individual powder movement within the narrow gap between the recoater and the substrate at variable spreading speeds from 17 to 322 mm/s. The instrument and method reported here provide a powerful tool for studying powder spreading physics in AM processes and for investigating the physics of granular material flow behavior in a confined environment.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Flash x-ray radiography analysis of detonation wave propagation in additive-manufactured high explosives

Recent research has demonstrated that additive manufacturing (AM) can be used to produce directionally sensitive high explosives (HEs), but detonation wave propagation in AM HEs with variable internal structure has not been studied. In this work, samples were printed using a 73 wt. % octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine-based HE ink. Flash x-ray radiography imaging was used to observe density changes in two imaging planes of each sample during detonation, and high-speed imaging was used to calculate the detonation velocity at the HE surface. The detonation front initially appears to fail in internal channel regions of the HE, but late reactions occurred in two samples, which increased the material bulk density by 2.8%, possibly due to shock convergence phenomena. The calculated detonation wave pressure similarly increased, but the accuracy of the results is uncertain because of the deviation of the low bulk density printed samples from the cast charge principal isentrope. Here, this work demonstrates that structure can be effectively utilized to guide detonation wave propagation through HE charges.

3D printing↗

DOE OSTI2019

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing of 4130 steel using Ni interlayers

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a solid-state manufacturing process for making complex components. However, fabrication of ferritic (body centered cubic) steels has been challenging for UAM due to its high hardness. This research successfully joined AISI 4130 steel sheets by using soft Ni (face centered cubic) interlayers. The localisation of plastic deformation in the Ni-interlayer leads to a significant reduction in voids. A post-process heat-treatment was designed using thermodynamic calculations to dissolve nickel into steel matrix. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements showed ~10 µm Ni from the interlayer diffused into the steel side, confirming the feasibility of the approach. The shear tests show a higher shear strength in comparison to as-processed 4130 without interlayers and post processed using hot isostatic pressing (HIP).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Assessment of Dimensional Integrity and Spatial Defect Localization in Additive Manufacturing Using Spectral Graph Theory

The ability of additive manufacturing (AM) to produce components with virtually any ge-ometry presents a unique challenge in terms of quantifying the quality of the part. In this paper, a novel spectral graph theory (SGT) approach is proposed for resolving two critical quality assurance concerns in AM: (1) how to quantify the dimensional integrity of complex AM components; and (2) how to isolate specific spatial locations on a component that deviate significantly from their normal condition. Here, the SGT approach is demonstrated for classifying the dimensional integrity of standardized test components produced from three different AM processes. The SGT-based topological invariant Fiedler number ( λ 2 ) was calculated from 3D point cloud coordinate measurements and used to quantify the dimensional integrity of test components. The Fiedler number was found to differ significantly for parts originating from different AM processes (statistical significance p-val. < 1%). By comparison, traditional statistical quantifiers (such as mean and standard deviation) and examination of specific facets/landmarks failed to capture these variations and proved incapable of quantifying the quality of the component in a consistent manner. The SGT approach was verified to consistently rank the quality of the AM components with a high degree of statistical confidence independent of sampling technique used (pooled standard deviation ~ 3% 10% of mean). Finally, from a practical standpoint, the SGT approach can be a powerful tool for quantifying and monitoring the dimensional integrity and overall quality of AM components, and thus encourage wider adoption of AM capabilities.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2023

Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss of Additively Manufactured Internal Cooling Channels With Various Shapes

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) provides the ability to fabricate highly customized internal cooling passages that are relevant to gas turbine components. This experimental study examines the pressure loss and heat transfer performance of a range of fundamental channel shapes that were produced using direct metal laser sintering. Circular, hexagonal, pentagonal, elliptical, diamond, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, and triangular channel cross sections were investigated. To maintain the same convective surface area between shapes, the wetted perimeters of the channel cross sections were kept constant. Parallel computational fluid dynamic simulations were performed to understand the relationships in cooling performance between several channel shapes. Several characteristic length scales were evaluated to scale the pressure loss and heat transfer measurements. Among the channel shapes investigated, the diamond channel showed the lowest Nusselt number and friction factor. The pentagon exhibited a similar Nusselt number as the circular channel despite having a lower friction factor. There was no difference in scaling the friction factor or Nusselt number results of the different channel shapes between using the square root of cross-sectional area compared to hydraulic diameter as the characteristic length scale

Engineering↗

DOE OSTI2021

In-situ digital image correlation and thermal monitoring in directed energy deposition additive manufacturing

As in welding, directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing (AM) generates complex residual stresses and distortions commensurate with the complexity of the scan pattern used for deposition. To date, measuring DED distortions on complex geometries has only been achieved post process, discarding the complex thermomechanical history that leads to that final material state. In this work, surround stereo digital image correlation (DIC) is used to 3D map surfaces and strain tensors in-situ in a powder-blown laser DED system. Infrared thermography is then projected onto these surfaces to record the full thermomechanical history of printed parts. DIC presents a unique challenge to DED AM, as no part exists at the beginning of deposition, which (a) prevents application of an appropriate speckle pattern and (b) denies the user a zero strain reference frame. Solutions to these problems are proposed and their limitations explored herein. In sum, this work presents a relatively low-cost solution to monitoring and optimizing the unique temporal artifacts induced by complex scan strategies that was previously unobtainable.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2018

Effect of thermal annealing on microstructure evolution and mechanical behavior of an additive manufactured AlSi10Mg part

The powder-bed laser additive manufacturing (AM) process is widely used in the fabrication of three-dimensional metallic parts with intricate structures, where kinetically controlled diffusion and microstructure ripening can be hindered by fast melting and rapid solidification. Therefore, the microstructure and physical properties of parts made by this process will be significantly different from their counterparts produced by conventional methods. This work investigates the microstructure evolution for an AM fabricated AlSi10Mg part from its nonequilibrium state toward equilibrium state. Special attention is placed on silicon dissolution, precipitate formation, collapsing of a divorced eutectic cellular structure, and microstructure ripening in the thermal annealing process. These events alter the size, morphology, length scale, and distribution of the beta silicon phase in the primary aluminum, and changes associated with elastic properties and microhardness are reported. In conclusion, the relationship between residual stress and silicon dissolution due to changes in lattice spacing is also investigated and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

In Situ Synchrotron Tensile Investigations on Ultrasonic Additive Manufactured (UAM) Zirconium

The microstructure evolution of ultrasonic additive manufactured (UAM) zirconium under room temperature uniaxial tensile straining is reported. Miniature dog-bone tensile specimens of two orientations were cut from a UAM zirconium bar for in situ synchrotron tensile tests. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) scanning at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory was used to unveil the changes in microstructure of the entire gauge regions throughout the straining. A series of WAXS data analysis methods were utilized to quantify both elastic and plastic deformation mechanisms within the strained specimens. Stress concentrations were identified during early stage of plastic deformation, which become candidate necking positions and eventually lead to failure. Fracture surface analysis implied that these stress concentration locations may be correlated to the fabrication defects, providing insightful guidance for future improvement of the UAM zirconium process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Project Fringe, Testing and Validation on Metal Additive Manufacturing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) worked with Additive Monitoring Systems (AMS) to demonstrate the real-time inspection of additive manufacturing (AM) binder jet fusion 3D printing (BJF). Test coupons on the ExOne Innovent were printed and monitored using AMS’s Project Fringe structured light system. Anomalies were detected automatically and classified post build as recoater powder layer non-uniformities, binder powder interaction, depressions, and sub optimal print area. These anomalies were not apparent in the visual spectrum, which suggests that the structured light system has advanced the monitoring techniques state-of-the-art for BJF.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Fuel Injector Design Method using Hybrid-Additive Manufacturing (Final Report)

The widespread application of metal additive manufacturing (AM) technologies has enabled exploration of complex design spaces to achieve optimally performing components. Current optimization techniques make use of several advanced methods to provide designs that are superior to existing versions. However, they seldom discuss the manufacturability of the optimal designs. The objective of this project was to develop a design optimization tool that simultaneously optimizes fuel injector hardware and the combustor flow field with optimization functions and constraints that consider both combustor performance and manufacturability using advanced AM methods and post-processing. In this way, the resultant hardware design is inherently imbued with our most advanced knowledge of combustion physics and AM methods from its conception.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2019

Characteristics and Processing of Hydrogen-Treated Copper Powders for EB-PBF Additive Manufacturing

The fabrication of high purity copper using additive manufacturing has proven difficult because of oxidation of the powder feedstock. Here, we present work on the hydrogen heat treatment of copper powders for electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF), in order to enable the fabrication of high purity copper components for applications such as accelerator components and vacuum electronic devices. Copper powder with varying initial oxygen contents were hydrogen heat-treated and characterized for their chemistry, morphology, and microstructure. Higher initial oxygen content powders were found to not only reduce surface oxides, but also reduce oxides along the grain boundaries and form trapped H 2 O vapor inside the particles. The trapped H 2 O vapor was verified by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and residual gas analysis (RGA) while melting. The mechanism of the H 2 O vapor escaping the particles was determined by in-situ SEM heated stage experiments, where the particles were observed to crack along the grain boundaries. To determine the effect of the EB-PBF processing on the H 2 O vapor, the thermal simulation and the validation of single melt track width wafers were conducted along with melting single layer discs for chemistry analysis. A high speed video of the EB-PBF melting was performed in order to determine the effect of the trapped H 2 O vapor on the melt pool. Finally, solid samples were fabricated from hydrogen-treated copper powder, where the final oxygen content measured ~50 wt. ppm, with a minimal residue hydrogen content, indicating the complete removal of trapped H 2 O vapor from the solid parts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2013

Out of bounds additive manufacturing

Lockheed Martin and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working on an additive manufacturing system capable of manufacturing components measured not in terms of inches or feet, but multiple yards in all dimensions with the potential to manufacture parts that are completely unbounded in size.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2016

System and method for high power diode based additive manufacturing

A system is disclosed for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate. The system may make use of a diode array for generating an optical signal sufficient to melt a powdered material of the substrate. A mask may be used for preventing a first predetermined portion of the optical signal from reaching the substrate, while allowing a second predetermined portion to reach the substrate. At least one processor may be used for controlling an output of the diode array.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

System and method for high power diode based additive manufacturing

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

Reinforcement Learning for Generating Toolpaths in Additive Manufacturing

Generating toolpaths plays a key role in additive manufacturing processes. In the case of 3-Dimensional (3D) printing, these toolpaths are the pathways the printhead will follow to fabricate a part in a layer-by-layer fashion. Most toolpath generators use nearest neighbor (NN), branch-and-bound, or linear programming algorithms to produce valid toolpaths. These algorithms often produce sub-optimal results or cannot handle large sets of traveling points. In this paper, the researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) propose using a machine learning (ML) approach called reinforcement learning (RL) to produce toolpaths for a print. RL is the process of two agents, the player and the critic, learning how to maximize a score based upon the actions of the player in a defined state space. In the context of 3D printing, the player will learn how to find the optimal toolpath that reduces printhead lifts and global print time.

Patrick, Steven↗

DOE OSTI2020

System and method for high power diode based additive manufacturing

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Additive manufacturing system and method having toolpath analysis

An additive manufacturing (AM) system is disclosed for constructing a three dimensional (3D) part with optimized orthotropy. The system combines an electronic processor which calculates an optimal set of physically achievable toolpaths to meet a given design objective, and a 3D printing direct ink write machine capable of printing inks with reinforcing particles that result in orthotropic materials. The electronic processor may combine a Domain of Interest subsystem that transforms a mathematical description of a desired part orthotropy to a plurality of guidepaths, a toolpath generate subsystem that develops a plurality of physically realizable toolpaths from those guidepaths with a minimum number of starts and stops, a finite element subsystem that computes spatially varying material orthotropy from those toolpaths and then solves a boundary value problem to determine a figure of merit for the design, and an optimization subsystem that uses that figure of merit to update the mathematical description of the part orthotropy to iteratively develop an improved part. The optimization subsystem also includes convergence criteria to indicate when toolpaths have been achieved that yield a sufficiently optimal part has been achieved. The toolpath generate can then output the final toolpaths, which are converted to suitable code that controls the motion of the 3D printer toolhead and allows the optimized 3D part to be manufactured.

King, Michael J.↗

DOE OSTI2022

System and method for sub micron additive manufacturing

An apparatus is disclosed for performing an additive manufacturing operation to form a structure by processing a photopolymer resist material. The apparatus may incorporate a laser for generating a laser beam, and a tunable mask for receiving the laser beam which has an optically dispersive element. The mask splits the laser beam into a plurality of emergent beams each having a subplurality of beamlets of varying or identical intensity, with each beamlet emerging from a unique subsection of illuminated regions of the mask. A collimator collimates at least one of the emergent beams to form a collimated beam. One or more focusing elements focuses the collimated beam into a focused beam which is projected as a focused image plane on or within the resist material. The focused beam simultaneously illuminates a layer of the resist material to process an entire layer in a parallel fashion.

Saha, Sourabh Kumar↗