Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Potential Superalloys: A Review

Abstract

The laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing technology involving a gradual build-on of layers to form a complete component according to a computer-aided design. The LPBF process boasts of manufacturing value-added parts with higher accuracy and complex geometries for the transport, aviation, energy, and biomedical industries. TiAl-based alloys and high-entropy alloys (HEAs) are two materials envisaged as potential replacements of nickel-based superalloys for high temperature structural applications. The success of these materials hinge on optimization and implementation of tailored microstructures through controlled processing and appropriate alloy manipulations that can promote and stabilize new microstructures. Therefore, it is important to understand the LPBF technique, and its associated microstructure-mechanical property relationships. This paper discusses the metallurgical sintering processes of LPBF, the effects of process parameters on densification, microstructures, and mechanical properties of LPBFed TiAl-based alloys and HEAs. This paper also, presents updates and future studies recommendations on the LPBFed TiAl-based alloys and HEAs.

Keywords

• additive manufacturing
• selective laser sintering
• laser powder bed fusion
• TiAl alloys
• HEA
• heterogeneous microstructure