Mid Sweden University

This study introduces an innovative approach for optimizing process development in electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) of non-flowing chemically reduced tungsten powder. Both line- and spot melting strategies were employed, with gradient-based variations of key processing parameters—beam current and scanning speed (line melting)/dwell time (spot melting)—applied across the XZ and XY planes on prismatic specimens. This method allowed mapping the transition from porous to swelling material within a single specimen and exposed the effects of changing gradient directions. Scripts were developed to analyze swelling and porosity from stacked backscattered electron data, providing valuable insights into material density and defect distribution. Optimal parameters for line melting (1400 W, 115 mm/s) and spot melting (1400 W, 4.5 ms dwell time) were identified, resulting in high-density samples. Solid samples were achieved with Archimedes densities of 99.8% and 99.9% respectively. Microscopical analysis verified parameter windows with dense, swelling-free material, selected for further builds and detailed characterization. Microstructural and compositional analysis was conducted using SEM and EBSD, while local micromechanical properties were assessed through micro hardness. Scaling up line melting was deemed infeasible due to warping, while spot melting was scaled to a melting area of 50 mm × 50 mm. 

The ability to control process parameters over time and build space in electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) opens up unprecedented opportunities to tailor the process and use materials of a different nature in the same build. The present investigation explored the various methods used to adapt the PBF-EB process for the production of functionally graded materials (FGMs). In this way, two pre-alloyed powders—a stainless steel (SS) powder and a highly alloyed cold work tool steel (TS) powder—were combined during processing in an S20 Arcam machine. Feasibility experiments were first carried out in a downscaled build setup, in which a single powder container was installed on top of the rake system. In the container, one powder was placed on top of the other (SS/TS) so that the gradient materials were produced as the powders were spread and intermixed during the build. The process was later scaled up to an industrial machine setup, where a similar approach was implemented using two configurations of powder disposal: SS/SS + TS/TS and TS/TS + SS/SS. Each configuration had an intermediate layer of powder blend. The FGMs obtained were characterized in terms of their microstructure and local and macromechanical properties. For the microstructural analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were performed on the polished cross-sections. This provided evidence of gradual microstructural and compositional transitions in the samples, with a shift from SS to TS and vice versa. Nanoindentation experiments confirmed that there was a consequent gradient in the hardness, stiffness, and wear ratio from the softer and ductile SS to the harder and stiff TS. Scratch experiments revealed gradual evolution in the sliding wear behavior of the printed materials. A “progressive spring” and a “hardness-tailored punching tool” were fabricated as demonstrators. The results obtained demonstrate the great potential to gradually tailor the composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance by combining different powders, and they suggest that any PBF-EB system can be repurposed to build gradient materials without hardware modification. Potential applications include the tooling industry, where hard and wear-resistant materials are needed for the surfaces of tools, with tougher and more ductile materials used in the cores of tools.

The use of additive manufacturing in metals by powder bed fusion via electron beam (PBF-EB) is increasing for fabricating high-quality parts meeting industrial standards. However, high surface roughness poses a consistent challenge in PBF-EB. This study investigates two novel approaches to optimise surface roughness for a given machine and powder combination. Using machine control software’s recently introduced research mode functionality, we develop customised beam control code to effectively explore a vast parameter space. Additionally, we explored the impact of beam travel direction and spot morphology on surface roughness. Line-melt-based contours were explored by specimen manufacturing with layer-wise parameter change, whilst spot-melting-based samples were built using a full factorial design of experiments with four factors at three levels. Initial sample characterisation was done using a stylus-based contact profilometer, followed by detailed evaluation using focus variation microscopy. Results reveal that increasing beam power and spot energy exacerbate surface roughness. We also find that a well-defined energy distribution at the spot's edge contributes to smoother surfaces. Whilst the influence of beam travel direction on surface roughness remains uncertain, our findings underscore the importance of parameter selection in achieving optimal results. By adjusting contouring parameters, we achieve a vertical roughness of Ra17.7 ± 0.9 (Sa 21.6), significantly lower than in the current literature. These findings advance our understanding of surface roughness optimisation in PBF-EB and offer practical insights for improving part quality in industrial applications. By harnessing tailored beam control strategies, manufacturers can enhance the capabilities of additive manufacturing technologies in producing metal components.

Metal additive manufacturing technologies, such as electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB), rely on layer heating to overcome the so-called “smoke” phenomenon. When scaled up for industrial manufacturing, PBF-EB becomes less productive due to the lengthy preheating process. Currently, only the electron beam (EB) is used for preheating in PBF-EB, resulting in increased manufacturing times, energy consumption, and in some cases limiting the applicability of the technology. In this study, a new preheating approach is suggested that incorporates a near-infrared radiation (NIR) emitter inside an PBF-EB system. The NIR unit eliminates the need for EB heating, reducing build time and powder charging. Successful builds using 316 L and Ti6Al4V precursor powders validate the feasibility of the proposed approach. The produced samples exhibit similar properties to those obtained by the standard PBF-EB process. The introduction of NIR technology also reduced build cost and increased the service intervals of the electron gun. 

The use of an electron beam (EB) as a heating source in EB-based powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) has several limitations, such as reduced powder recyclability, short machine service intervals, difficulties with heating large areas and the limited processability of charge-sensitive powders. Near-infrared (NIR) heating was recently introduced as a feasible replacement and/or complement to EB heating in PBF-EB. This work further investigates the feasibility of using NIR to eliminate the need for a build platform as well as to enable easier repairing of parts in PBF-EB. NIR-assisted Ti-6Al-4V builds were successfully carried out by starting from a loose powder bed without using a build platform. The results do not only confirm that it is possible to eliminate the build platform by the aid of NIR, but also that it can be beneficial for the process cleanliness and improve the surface quality of built parts. Furthermore, a 430 stainless-steel (SS) component could be repaired by positioning it in a loose 316L SS powder bed using a fully NIR-heated PBF-EB process.

This study investigates the use of Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) spot melting on SDSS 2507, a material known for its high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and welding properties. Spot melting, a localized melting technique, utilize a stationary beam to create melt pools before rapidly repositioning to form new ones, offering precise control over material properties in additive manufacturing. We conducted a design of experiments with 32 samples and analysed them using SEM, XRD, EBSD, optical microscopy, nanoindentation and statistical modelling. Elevated PBF-EB processing temperatures significantly influence microstructure and phase composition. XRD analysis identified the presence of the detrimental sigma phase. EBSD analysis revealed a composition primarily consisting of austenite (63 %) and sigma phase (33.5 %), with residual ferrite (3.5 %). Statistical modelling demonstrated that a combination of spot-time, spot distance, focus offset, and layer thickness was the most reliable predictor for density while area energy proved to be the most accurate predictor for hardness, with R2adj values of 0.766 and 0.802, respectively. Our study confirms that PBF-EB is capable of processing SDSS 2507 through spot melting, resulting in high-density samples at high productivity rates. The presence of sigma phase shows a need for post build heat treatment to achieve the desired phase distribution. This research enhances the understanding of the process and also holds promise for industrial applications. 

This study focuses on adapting the Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (E-PBF) process for the manufacturing of parts from 2507 super duplex stainless steel, combining high strength and corrosion resistance, therefore presenting an interesting choice for E-PBF implementation. Samples manufactured using four sets of process parameters were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and nanoindentation. The different E-PBF process temperatures investigated had the strongest influence on the phase characteristics and the resulting microstructure. The processability of the material was good, and high productivity rates were achieved, indicating good suitability for industrial transfer.

Electron-Beam Powder Bed Fusion (EB-PBF) is one of the most important metal additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. In EB-PBF, a focused electron beam is used to melt metal powders in a layer by layer approach. In this investigation two pre-alloyed steel-based powders, stainless steel 316L and V4E, a tool steel developed by Uddeholm, were used to manufacture functionally graded materials. In the proposed approach two powders are loaded into the feeding container, V4E powder on top of 316L one, preventing their mixing. Such type of feeding yields components with two distinct materials separated by a zone with gradual transition from 316L to V4E. Microstructure and local mechanical properties were evaluated in the manufactured samples. Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and EDX on the polished cross-sections show a gradual microstructural and compositional transition from characteristic 316L at the bottom of the specimens to the tool steel towards the top. Nanoindentation experiments confirmed a consequent gradient in hardness and elastic modulus, which gradually increase towards the top surface of the samples. The achieved results provide great possibilities to tailor the composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance by combining different powders in the powder bed AM technology. Potential applications include the tooling industry, where hard and wear-resistant materials are demanded on the surface with tougher and more ductile materials in the core of the tool.

Most Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) methods for the Additive Manufacturing (AM) of metals are based on the melting of powder of one specific metallic material; either of pure-elemental or pre-alloyed composition. Although the potential to build components from different materials in AM has recently gained a lot of attention, it is still not feasible in the current metal PBF systems. In the specific case of Electron beam- based PBF (PBF-EB), it is possible to precisely control the beam parameters in each site of the build area, which opens great possibilities for adaptive processes that allows melting powders of different nature in the same build. In this investigation, different steel-based and Ti6Al4V alloy powders are used to create metal-metal assemblies. By steering the fetching of two powders loaded in different hoppers it was possible to build different metal-metal assemblies. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the final materials were evaluated. 

Most Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) methods for the Additive Manufacturing (AM) of metals are based on manufacturing components by the melting of powder feedstock of one kind; either of pure-elemental or pre-alloyed compositions. Although the AM of multi-materials has recently gained a lot of attention, it is still not commercially available for metal PBF. In Electron-beam based PBF (EB-PBF) it is possible to control precisely the beam parameters such as speed, spot size and current in each site of the build area. By doing this for each manufactured layer, the melting and solidification process can be steered throughout the build. This opens great possibilities for adaptive processes that allows melting of feedstock powders of different nature in the same build. In this investigation, different steel-based powders are used to create metal-metal multimaterials, including stainless-, hot-work and cold-work tool steels. In the proposed approach, each of the two hoppers is loaded with different metal feedstock so that the fetching can be steered to dispense each specific powder into the bed layer-by-layer. By doing so, the process was steered to obtain multimaterials with lamellar, sandwich-like, and compositionally graded configurations. The microstructure and micromechanical properties of the obtained specimens were characterized by microscopic techniques and nanoindentation.