LFAM with metallic materials. Structure, Microstructure, and Characterization.

Abstract

This chapter discusses large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) with metallic materials, emphasizing the structure, microstructure and characterization of the final products. LFAM technologies enable the production of large-scale components with complex geometries, offering benefits such as reduced material waste, lead time and costs. Metal materials in LFAM provide advantages in strength, durability and conductivity, making them suitable for high-performance applications. The chapter delves into critical aspects like porosity, phase composition, grain size, residual stress and chemical composition, which influence the quality and performance of LFAM components. Porosity, for instance, impacts mechanical integrity and dimensional accuracy, while grain size and phase distribution affect mechanical properties. Various characterization techniques, including microscopy, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods, are employed to analyze these factors. The chapter highlights the importance of precise control over processing parameters and post-processing steps to optimize the microstructure and mechanical properties of LFAM-produced metal parts.