Review on laser directed energy deposited aluminum alloys

Lightweight aluminum(Al)alloys have been widely used in frontier fields like aerospace and automotive industries,which attracts great interest in additive manufacturing(AM)to process high-value Al parts.As a mainstream AM technique,laser-directed energy deposition(LDED)shows good scalability to meet the requirements for large-format component manufacturing and repair.However,LDED Al alloys are highly challenging due to their inherent poor printability(e.g.low laser absorption,high oxidation sensitivity and cracking tendency).To further promote the development of LDED high-performance Al alloys,this review offers a deep understanding of the challenges and strategies to improve printability in LDED Al alloys.The porosity,cracking,distortion,inclusions,element evaporation and resultant inferior mechanical properties(worse than laser powder bed fusion)are the key challenges in LDED Al alloys.Processing parameter optimizations,in-situ alloy design,reinforcing particle addition and field assistance are the efficient approaches to improving the printability and performance of LDED Al alloys.The underlying correlations between processes,alloy innovation,characteristic microstructures,and achievable performances in LDED Al alloys are discussed.The benchmark mechanical properties and primary strengthening mechanism of LDED Al alloys are summarized.This review aims to provide a critical and in-depth evaluation of current progress in LDED Al alloys.Future opportunities and perspectives in LDED high-performance Al alloys are also outlined.

Printability disparities in heterogeneous material combinations via laser directed energy deposition:a comparative study

Additive manufacturing provides achievability for the fabrication of bimetallic and multi-material structures;however,the material compatibility and bondability directly affect the parts’formability and final quality.It is essential to understand the underlying printability of different material combinations based on an adapted process.Here,the printability disparities of two common and attractive material combinations(nickel-and iron-based alloys)are evaluated at the macro and micro levels via laser directed energy deposition(DED).The deposition processes were captured using in situ high-speed imaging,and the dissimilarities in melt pool features and track morphology were quantitatively investigated within specific process windows.Moreover,the microstructure diversity of the tracks and blocks processed with varied material pairs was comparatively elaborated and,complemented with the informative multi-physics modeling,the presented non-uniformity in mechanical properties(microhardness)among the heterogeneous material pairs was rationalized.The differences in melt flow induced by the unlike thermophysical properties of the material pairs and the resulting element intermixing and localized re-alloying during solidification dominate the presented dissimilarity in printability among the material combinations.This work provides an in-depth understanding of the phenomenological differences in the deposition of dissimilar materials and aims to guide more reliable DED forming of bimetallic parts.

Effect of hot isostatic pressure on the microstructure and tensile properties of γ'-strengthened superalloy fabricated through induction-assisted directed energy deposition

The microstructure characteristics and strengthening mechanism of Inconel738LC(IN-738LC) alloy prepared by using induction-assisted directed energy deposition(IDED) were elucidated through the investigation of samples subjected to IDED under 1050℃ preheating with and without hot isostatic pressing(HIP,1190℃,105 MPa,and 3 h).Results show that the as-deposited sample mainly consisted of epitaxial columnar crystals and inhomogeneously distributed γ’ phases in interdendritic and dendritic core regions.After HIP,grain morphology changed negligibly,whereas the size of the γ’ phase became increasingly even.After further heat treatment(HT,1070℃,2 h + 845℃,24 h),the γ’ phase in the as-deposited and HIPed samples presented a bimodal size distribution,whereas that in the as-deposited sample showed a size that remained uneven.The comparison of tensile properties revealed that the tensile strength and uniform elongation of the HIP + HTed sample increased by 5% and 46%,respectively,due to the synergistic deformation of bimodal γ’phases,especially large cubic γ’ phases.Finally,the relationship between phase transformations and plastic deformations in the IDEDed sample was discussed on the basis of generalized stability theory in terms of the trade-off between thermodynamics and kinetics.

Effect of grain boundary Widmanstättenαcolony on the anisotropic tensile properties of directed energy deposited Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Columnar grain structure caused anisotropy in mechanical properties,especially in elongation,is an important concern for Ti-6Al-4 V alloy fabricated by directed energy deposition(DED).Several strategies have been proposed to reduce anisotropy by globularizing the grains,but these conventional approaches are costly and inefficient due to challenges faced during producing the columnarβ-grain structures.However,understanding the impact of columnar grain-related microstructures on the anisotropic deformation behavior is still necessary.Despite the recognition of the importance of grain boundary Widmannstättenαcolony(αWGB)as a grain-related microstructure,it has received limited attention in available literature on anisotropy in mechanical properties.This study employed in-situ induction heating during DED to controlαWGB formation,yielding three Ti-6Al-4 V samples with varyingαWGB sizes.Anisotropic deforma-tion ofαWGB and its impact on elongation in build and transverse directions were analyzed.αWGB width grew from 0.5μm to 32.4μm via diffusion-controlled growth due to reduced cooling rate.Transverse deformation led to dislocation movement and accumulation,causing early failure and worsened ductile anisotropy withinαWGB.Notably,largerαWGB size significantly exacerbated anisotropy in ductility.This work underscoresαWGB’s role in anisotropic deformation and offers insights for optimizing mechanical properties in DED-fabricated titanium alloys.

Revealing precipitation behavior and mechanical response of wire-arc directed energy deposited Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy by tailoring aging procedures

Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy,as a typical magnesium rare-earth(Mg-RE)alloy,is gaining popularity in the advanced equipment manufacturing fields owing to its noticeable age-hardening properties and high specific strength.However,it is extremely challenging to prepare wrought components with large dimensions and complex shapes because of the poor room-temperature processability of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy.Herein,we report a wire-arc directed energy deposited(DED)Mg-10.45Gd-2.27Y-0.52Zr(wt.%,GW102K)alloy with high RE content presenting a prominent combination of strength and ductility,realized by tailored nanoprecipitates through an optimized heat treatment procedure.Specifically,the solution-treated sample exhibits excellent ductility with an elongation(EL)of(14.6±0.1)%,while the aging-treated sample at 200°C for 58 h achieves an ultra-high ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of(371±1.5)MPa.Besides,the aging-treated sample at 250°C for 16 h attains a good strength-ductility synergy with a UTS of(316±2.1)MPa and a EL of(8.5±0.1)%.Particularly,the evolution mechanisms of precipitation response induced by various aging parameters and deformation behavior caused by nanoprecipitates type were also systematically revealed.The excellent ductility resulted from coordinating localized strains facilitated by active slip activity.And the ultra-high strength should be ascribed to the dense nano-β'hampering dislocation motion.Additionally,the shearable nano-β1 contributed to the good strength-ductility synergy.This work thus offers insightful understanding into the nanoprecipitates manipulation and performance tailoring for the wire-arc DED preparation of large-sized Mg-Gd-Y-Zr components with complex geometries.

Spontaneous Recovery in Directed Dynamical Networks

Complex networked systems,which range from biological systems in the natural world to infrastructure systems in the human-made world,can exhibit spontaneous recovery after a failure;for example,a brain may spontaneously return to normal after a seizure,and traffic flow can become smooth again after a jam.Previous studies on the spontaneous recovery of dynamical networks have been limited to undirected networks.However,most real-world networks are directed.To fill this gap,we build a model in which nodes may alternately fail and recover,and we develop a theoretical tool to analyze the recovery properties of directed dynamical networks.We find that the tool can accurately predict the final fraction of active nodes,and the prediction accuracy decreases as the fraction of bidirectional links in the network increases,which emphasizes the importance of directionality in network dynamics.Due to different initial states,directed dynamical networks may show alternative stable states under the same control parameter,exhibiting hysteresis behavior.In addition,for networks with finite sizes,the fraction of active nodes may jump back and forth between high and low states,mimicking repetitive failure-recovery processes.These findings could help clarify the system recovery mechanism and enable better design of networked systems with high resilience.

A Non-parametric Gradient-Based Shape Optimization Approach for Solving Inverse Problems in Directed Self-Assemblyof Block Copolymers

We consider the inverse problem of finding guiding pattern shapes that result in desired self-assembly morphologies of block copolymer melts.Specifically,we model polymer selfassembly using the self-consistent field theory and derive,in a non-parametric setting,the sensitivity of the dissimilarity between the desired and the actual morphologies to arbitrary perturbations in the guiding pattern shape.The sensitivity is then used for the optimization of the confining pattern shapes such that the dissimilarity between the desired and the actual morphologies is minimized.The efficiency and robustness of the proposed gradient-based algorithm are demonstrated in a number of examples related to templating vertical interconnect accesses(VIA).

Influence of Scanning Patterns on Mechanical Behavior and Distortion in Laser Directed Energy Deposition

Laser Directed Energy Deposition (LDED) marks a critical advance in intelligent manufacturing, enabling efficient near-net shape production of metal parts. This method is especially beneficial for aerospace and defense applications that require high precision. However, issues such as deformation and heat accumulation during production still affect the quality of the final products, necessitating further optimization of process parameters. This paper studies the effects of three deposition strategies on 316L stainless steel parts using LDED. The three strategies based on unidirectional scanning (US), zigzag scanning (ZS), and square spiral scanning (SS) are investigated by solid samples and samples with a central hole. The surface smoothness, defects, and mechanical properties of 316L samples manufactured with the above strategies are discussed by means of surface topography tests and metallographic characterization. Experimental results indicate that the zigzag scanning strategy yielded better results for solid components, and the square spiral scanning strategy is suitable for samples with a central hole.

On (t, r) Broadcast Domination of Directed Graphs

A dominating set of a graph G is a set of vertices that contains at least one endpoint of every edge on the graph. The domination number of G is the order of a minimum dominating set of G. The (t, r) broadcast domination is a generalization of domination in which a set of broadcasting vertices emits signals of strength t that decrease by 1 as they traverse each edge, and we require that every vertex in the graph receives a cumulative signal of at least r from its set of broadcasting neighbors. In this paper, we extend the study of (t, r) broadcast domination to directed graphs. Our main result explores the interval of values obtained by considering the directed (t, r) broadcast domination numbers of all orientations of a graph G. In particular, we prove that in the cases r = 1 and (t, r) = (2, 2), for every integer value in this interval, there exists an orientation of G which has directed (t, r) broadcast domination number equal to that value. We also investigate directed (t, r) broadcast domination on the finite grid graph, the star graph, the infinite grid graph, and the infinite triangular lattice graph. We conclude with some directions for future study.

Cytochrome P450 Directed Prodrug Activation Therapy in Research of Cancer Enzymology

Cancer enzymology is a promising filiation of bio-medical sciences. In thepast decades, enzymes, such as GST(glutathione S-transferase) , PKC(protein kinase C) , Topo(DNAtopoisomerases), TK(tyrosine kinase), CD (bacterial cytosine deaminase), CPG2(carboxypeptidase G2) ,and PNP (purine nucleoside phosphorylase), have been known to bear close relations to cancer. Theirspecific expression and influence on the process of tumor initiation, promotion and progressionattract scientists to apply them as a biochemical marker of certain malignant tumor, a predictor ofresponse in cancer chemotherapy; to apply them to drug design, tumor prevention and as adjuvant toradiotherapy or surgery.

DIRECTED HYPERGRAPH THEORY AND DECOMPOSITION CONTRACTION METHOD

A new branch of hypergraph theory-directed hyperaph theory and a kind of new methods-dicomposition contraction(DCP, PDCP and GDC) methods are presented for solving hypernetwork problems.lts computing time is lower than that of ECP method in several order of magnitude.

CONVERGENCE ANALYSIS AND MRALLEL IMPLEMENTION FOR THE DIRECTEDGRAPH -ALGORITHM

In this paper we discuss the convergence of the directed graph-algorithm for solving a kind of optimization problems where the objective and subjective functions are all separable, and the parallel implementation process for the directed graph -algorithm is introduced.

Search for Directed Networks by Different Random Walk Strategies

A comparative study is carried out on the effciency of five different random walk strategies searching on directed networks constructed based on several typical complex networks.Due to the difference in search effciency of the strategies rooted in network clustering,the clustering coeFfcient in a random walker's eye on directed networks is defined and computed to be half of the corresponding undirected networks.The search processes are performed on the directed networks based on Erd(o)s-Rényi model,Watts-Strogatz model,Barabási-Albert model and clustered scale-free network model.It is found that self-avoiding random walk strategy is the best search strategy for such directed networks.Compared to unrestricted random walk strategy,path-iteration-avoiding random walks can also make the search process much more effcient.However,no-triangle-loop and no-quadrangle-loop random walks do not improve the search effciency as expected,which is different from those on undirected networks since the clustering coefficient of directed networks are smaller than that of undirected networks.

Existence of Almost Resolvable Directed 7-Cycle Systems

Let ARDkCS（v） denote an almost resolvable directed k-cycle system of order v. It is clear that a necessary condition for the existence of an ARDkCS（v） is v=1（mod k）. For k：3,4,5 and 6, the existence of an ARDkCS （v） had been completely solved. This paper shows that there exists an ARD7CS（v） if and only if v≡1 （rood 7） and v≥8.

Average Convergence for Directed&Undirected Graphs in Distributed Systems

Consensus control of multi-agent systems is an innovative paradigm for the development of intelligent distributed systems.This has fascinated numerous scientific groups for their promising applications as they have the freedom to achieve their local and global goals and make their own decisions.Network communication topologies based on graph and matrix theory are widely used in a various real-time applications ranging from software agents to robotics.Therefore,while sustaining the significance of both directed and undirected graphs,this research emphases on the demonstration of a distributed average consensus algorithm.It uses the harmonic mean in the domain of multi-agent systems with directed and undirected graphs under static topologies based on a control input scheme.The proposed agreement protocol focuses on achieving a constant consensus on directional and undirected graphs using the exchange of information between neighbors to update their status values and to be able to calculate the total number of agents that contribute to the communication network at the same time.The proposed method is implemented for the identical networks that are considered under the directional and non-directional communication links.Two different scenarios are simulated and it is concluded that the undirected approach has an advantage over directed graph communication in terms of processing time and the total number of iterations required to achieve convergence.The same network parameters are introduced for both orientations of the communication graphs.In addition,the results of the simulation and the calculation of various matrices are provided at the end to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm to achieve consensus.

Signed Directed Graph and Qualitative Trend Analysis Based Fault Diagnosis in Chemical Industry

In the past 30 years,signed directed graph(SDG) ,one of the qualitative simulation technologies,has been widely applied for chemical fault diagnosis.However,SDG based fault diagnosis,as any other qualitative method,has poor diagnostic resolution.In this paper,a new method that combines SDG with qualitative trend analysis(QTA) is presented to improve the resolution.In the method,a bidirectional inference algorithm based on assumption and verification is used to find all the possible fault causes and their corresponding consistent paths in the SDG model.Then an improved QTA algorithm is used to extract and analyze the trends of nodes on the consis-tent paths found in the previous step.New consistency rules based on qualitative trends are used to find the real causes from the candidate causes.The resolution can be improved.This method combines the completeness feature of SDG with the good diagnostic resolution feature of QTA.The implementation of SDG-QTA based fault diagno-sis is done using the integrated SDG modeling,inference and post-processing software platform.Its application is illustrated on an atmospheric distillation tower unit of a simulation platform.The result shows its good applicability and efficiency.

Consensus Control of Leader-Following Multi-Agent Systems in Directed Topology With Heterogeneous Disturbances

This paper investigates the consensus problem for linear multi-agent systems with the heterogeneous disturbances generated by the Brown motion.Its main contribution is that a control scheme is designed to achieve the dynamic consensus for the multi-agent systems in directed topology interfered by stochastic noise.In traditional ways,the coupling weights depending on the communication structure are static.A new distributed controller is designed based on Riccati inequalities,while updating the coupling weights associated with the gain matrix by state errors between adjacent agents.By introducing time-varying coupling weights into this novel control law,the state errors between leader and followers asymptotically converge to the minimum value utilizing the local interaction.Through the Lyapunov directed method and It?formula,the stability of the closed-loop system with the proposed control law is analyzed.Two simulation results conducted by the new and traditional schemes are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantage of the developed control method.

Microstructure and mechanical property of additively manufactured NiTi alloys:A comparison between selective laser melting and directed energy deposition

NiTi shape memory alloy(SMA)with nominal composition of Ni 50.8 at%and Ti 49.2 at%was additively manufactured(AM)by selective laser melting(SLM)and laser directed energy deposition(DED)for a comparison study,with emphasis on its phase composition,microstructure,mechanical property and deformation mechanism.The results show that the yield strength and ductility obtained by SLM are 100 MPa and 8%,respectively,which are remarkably different from DED result with 700 MPa and 2%.The load path of SLM sample presents shape memory effect,corresponding to martensite phase detected by XRD;while the load path of DED presents pseudo-elasticity with austenite phase.In SLM sample,fine grain and hole provide a uniform deformation during tensile test,resulting in a better elongation.Furthermore,the nonequilibrium solidification was studied by a temperature field simulation to understand the difference of the two 3D printing methods.Both temperature gradient G and growth rate R determine the microstructure and phase in the SLM sample and DED sample,which leads to similar grain morphologies because of similar G/R.While higher G×R of SLM leads to a finer grain size in SLM sample,providing enough driving force for martensite transition and subsequently changing texture compared to DED sample.

Distributed Secondary Control of AC Microgrids With External Disturbances and Directed Communication Topologies:A Full-Order Sliding-Mode Approach

This paper addresses the problem of distributed secondary control for islanded AC microgrids with external disturbances.By using a full-order sliding-mode(FOSM)approach,voltage regulation and frequency restoration are achieved in finite time.For voltage regulation,a distributed observer is proposed for each distributed generator(DG)to estimate a reference voltage level.Different from some conventional observers,the reference voltage level in this paper is accurately estimated under directed communication topologies.Based on the observer,a new nonlinear controller is designed in a backstepping manner such that an FOSM surface is reached in finite time.On the surface,the voltages of DGs are regulated to the reference level in finite time.For frequency restoration,a distributed controller is further proposed such that a constructed FOSM surface is reached in finite time,on which the frequencies of DGs are restored to a reference level in finite time under directed communication topologies.Finally,case studies on a modified IEEE 37-bus test system are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness,the robustness against load changes,and the plug-and-play capability of the proposed controllers.

Yield ratios and directed flows of light particles from proton-rich nuclei-induced collisions

The neutron-to-proton and3 H-to-3 He yield ratios, and the directed flows of particles dependent on a reduced rapidity, the transverse momentum per nucleon,and a reduced impact parameter are investigated for ^(28)S+^(28)Si and ^(32)S+^(28)Si systems at 50 and 400 MeV/u using an isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model.The results show that these yield ratios of projectile-like fragments are approximately equal to the constituent neutron-to-proton ratio of the projectile. There are clear differences of the directed flows for isospin-related fragments neutron and proton,~3H and ~3He from ^(28)S+^(28)Si collisions.The differences in directed flows for neutrons and protons and ~3H–~3He from a proton-rich nucleus ^(28)S- induced collisions are noticeably larger than those from a stable nucleus ^(32)S- induced reactions under medium impact parameters. Thus, the yield ratios and differences in directed flows for the neutrons and protons and ~3H–~3He under medium impact parameters are proposed as possible observable items for studying isospin physics.