Influence of Interpass Temperature on Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) of Aluminium Alloy Components

Abstract

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technique has revealed the potential of replacing existing aerospace industry parts manufactured by traditional manufacturing routes. The reduced mechanical properties compared to wrought products, the porosity formation, and solidification cracking are the prime constraints that are restricting wide-spread applications of WAAM products using aluminium alloys. An interpass temperature is less studied in robotic WAAM and is the vital aspect affecting the properties of a formed product. This paper highlights the effects of change in interpass temperature on porosity content and mechanical properties of WAAM parts prepared using DC pulsed GMAW process, with 5356 aluminium consumable wire. The samples prepared with different interpass temperatures were studied for the distribution of pores with the help of computed tomography radiography (CT radiography) technique. A WAAM sample produced with higher interpass temperature revealed 10.41% less porosity than the sample prepared with lower interpass temperature. The pores with size less than 0.15mm3 were contributing over 95% of the overall porosity content. Additionally, on a volumetric scale, small pores (<0.15mm3) in the higher interpass temperature sample contributed 81.47% of overall volume of pores whereas only 67.92% volume was occupied in lower interpass temperature sample with same sized pores. The different solidification rates believed to have influence on the hydrogen evolution mechanism. Tensile properties of higher interpass temperature sample were comparatively better than lower interpass temperature sample. For the deposition pattern used in this study, horizontal specimens were superior to vertical specimens in tensile properties.