Development of in-plane SS316 to M300 maraging steel gradients via directed energy deposition

Abstract

The development of functionally graded materials via powder-based directed energy deposition is of interest to fabricate metallic aerospace components with tailored spatial properties. Currently, multi-metal and functionally graded metallic samples are fabricated with the transition or gradient in the build direction due to equipment hardware and software limitations. To enable full spatial control of component composition and properties, the development of a process for creating in-plane gradients and an understanding of the influence of process parameters on interfacial properties is necessary. This work highlights the manufacturing of in-plane gradients through powder-based directed energy deposition for SS316 and M300 maraging steel. An exploration of the influence of process parameters is performed, including the correlation of material deposition spacing, interfacial gradient strategy, and re-melting blank laser scans, with sample hardness, composition, and interface morphology. Finally, the in-plane gradient strategy is utilized to create a prototype geometry with a low- coefficient of thermal expansion.

Keywords

• In-plane gradient
• Multi-material additive manufacturing
• Metallic gradient manufacturing
• Directed energy deposition