Investigation of Microstructure Formation in Plasma Arc Additive Manufacturing Processes by SEM-Based Heating Studies

Description

Plasma arc additive manufacturing (PLAAM) produces metal components with an anisotropic microstructure due to non-equilibrium heating and cooling conditions. The cyclic heat inputs during manufacturing introduce additional complexities, affecting element diffusion, phase transitions, and grain morphology. This study focuses on developing a microscopy technique to simulate the temperature profile on a sufficiently large sample relative to typical grain sizes in AM components. COMSOL simulations are employed to predict temperature distributions using MEMS-SEM microheaters, while temperature validation is conducted using Thermocamera measurements. Adopting a quasi-in situ approach, PLAAM samples undergo cyclic heating, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and imaging techniques are utilized to analyze dynamic changes in the microstructure after each heating cycle. The findings highlight the potential of SEM-based heating studies in providing a comprehensive understanding of microstructure formation during PLAAM processes.

Period	Mar 2024
Event title	TMS 2024 annual meeting & Exhibition
Event type	Conference
Location	Orlando, United States, FloridaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International