Additive manufacturing of micropatterned functional surfaces:a review

Over the course of millions of years,nature has evolved to ensure survival and presents us with a myriad of functional surfaces and structures that can boast high efficiency,multifunctionality,and sustainability.What makes these surfaces particularly practical and effective is the intricate micropatterning that enables selective interactions with microstructures.Most of these structures have been realized in the laboratory environment using numerous fabrication techniques by tailoring specific surface properties.Of the available manufacturing methods,additive manufacturing(AM)has created opportunities for fabricating these structures as the complex architectures of the naturally occurring microstructures far exceed the traditional ways.This paper presents a concise overview of the fundamentals of such patterned microstructured surfaces,their fabrication techniques,and diverse applications.A comprehensive evaluation of micro fabrication methods is conducted,delving into their respective strengths and limitations.Greater emphasis is placed on AM processes like inkjet printing and micro digital light projection printing due to the intrinsic advantages of these processes to additively fabricate high resolution structures with high fidelity and precision.The paper explores the various advancements in these processes in relation to their use in microfabrication and also presents the recent trends in applications like the fabrication of microlens arrays,microneedles,and tissue scaffolds.

Advances and challenges in direct additive manufacturing of dense ceramic oxides

Ceramic oxides,renowned for their exceptional combination of mechanical,thermal,and chemical properties,are indispensable in numerous crucial applications across diverse engineering fields.However,conventional manufacturing methods frequently grapple with limitations,such as challenges in shaping intricate geometries,extended processing durations,elevated porosity,and substantial shrinkage deformations.Direct additive manufacturing(dAM)technology stands out as a state-of-the-art solution for ceramic oxides production.It facilitates the one-step fabrication of high-performance,intricately designed components characterized by dense structures.Importantly,dAM eliminates the necessity for post-heat treatments,streamlining the manufacturing process and enhancing overall efficiency.This study undertakes a comprehensive review of recent developments in dAM for ceramic oxides,with a specific emphasis on the laser powder bed fusion and laser directed energy deposition techniques.A thorough investigation is conducted into the shaping quality,microstructure,and properties of diverse ceramic oxides produced through dAM.Critical examination is given to key aspects including feedstock preparation,laser-material coupling,formation and control of defects,in-situ monitoring and simulation.This paper concludes by outlining future trends and potential breakthrough directions,taking into account current gaps in this rapidly evolving field.

A facile strategy for tuning the density of surface-grafted biomolecules for melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing applications

Melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing(ME-AM)is a promising technique to fabricate porous scaffolds for tissue engi-neering applications.However,most synthetic semicrystalline polymers do not possess the intrinsic biological activity required to control cell fate.Grafting of biomolecules on polymeric surfaces of AM scaffolds enhances the bioactivity of a construct;however,there are limited strategies available to control the surface density.Here,we report a strategy to tune the surface density of bioactive groups by blending a low molecular weight poly(ε-caprolactone)5k(PCL5k)containing orthogonally reactive azide groups with an unfunctionalized high molecular weight PCL75k at different ratios.Stable porous three-dimensional(3D)scaf-folds were then fabricated using a high weight percentage(75 wt.%)of the low molecular weight PCL 5k.As a proof-of-concept test,we prepared films of three different mass ratios of low and high molecular weight polymers with a thermopress and reacted with an alkynated fluorescent model compound on the surface,yielding a density of 201-561 pmol/cm^(2).Subsequently,a bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2)-derived peptide was grafted onto the films comprising different blend compositions,and the effect of peptide surface density on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells(hMSCs)was assessed.After two weeks of culturing in a basic medium,cells expressed higher levels of BMP receptor II(BMPRII)on films with the conjugated peptide.In addition,we found that alkaline phosphatase activity was only significantly enhanced on films contain-ing the highest peptide density(i.e.,561 pmol/cm^(2)),indicating the importance of the surface density.Taken together,these results emphasize that the density of surface peptides on cell differentiation must be considered at the cell-material interface.Moreover,we have presented a viable strategy for ME-AM community that desires to tune the bulk and surface functionality via blending of(modified)polymers.Furthermore,the use of alkyne-azide“click”chemistry enables spatial control over bioconjugation of many tissue-specific moieties,making this approach a versatile strategy for tissue engineering applications.

Repositioning fertilizer manufacturing subsidies for improving food security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in China

China removed fertilizer manufacturing subsidies from 2015 to 2018 to bolster market-oriented reforms and foster environmentally sustainable practices.However,the impact of this policy reform on food security and the environment remains inadequately evaluated.Moreover,although green and low-carbon technologies offer environmental advantages,their widespread adoption is hindered by prohibitively high costs.This study analyzes the impact of removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies and explores the potential feasibility of redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in the diffusion of these technologies.Utilizing the China Agricultural University Agri-food Systems model,we analyzed the potential for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes regarding food security and environmental sustainability.The findings indicate that removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies has reduced greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions from agricultural activities by 3.88 million metric tons,with minimal impact on food production.Redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in green and low-carbon technologies,including slow and controlled-release fertilizer,organic-inorganic compound fertilizers,and machine deep placement of fertilizer,emerges as a strategy to concurrently curtail GHG emissions,ensure food security,and secure robust economic returns.Finally,we propose a comprehensive set of government interventions,including subsidies,field guidance,and improved extension systems,to promote the widespread adoption of these technologies.

Recent innovations in laser additive manufacturing of titanium alloys

Titanium(Ti)alloys are widely used in high-tech fields like aerospace and biomedical engineering.Laser additive manufacturing(LAM),as an innovative technology,is the key driver for the development of Ti alloys.Despite the significant advancements in LAM of Ti alloys,there remain challenges that need further research and development efforts.To recap the potential of LAM high-performance Ti alloy,this article systematically reviews LAM Ti alloys with up-to-date information on process,materials,and properties.Several feasible solutions to advance LAM Ti alloys are reviewed,including intelligent process parameters optimization,LAM process innovation with auxiliary fields and novel Ti alloys customization for LAM.The auxiliary energy fields(e.g.thermal,acoustic,mechanical deformation and magnetic fields)can affect the melt pool dynamics and solidification behaviour during LAM of Ti alloys,altering microstructures and mechanical performances.Different kinds of novel Ti alloys customized for LAM,like peritecticα-Ti,eutectoid(α+β)-Ti,hybrid(α+β)-Ti,isomorphousβ-Ti and eutecticβ-Ti alloys are reviewed in detail.Furthermore,machine learning in accelerating the LAM process optimization and new materials development is also outlooked.This review summarizes the material properties and performance envelops and benchmarks the research achievements in LAM of Ti alloys.In addition,the perspectives and further trends in LAM of Ti alloys are also highlighted.

Toward understanding the microstructure characteristics,phase selection and magnetic properties of laser additive manufactured Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets

Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets play a crucial role in energy conversion and electronic devices.The essential magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B magnets,particularly coercivity and remanent magnetization,are significantly infuenced by the phase characteristics and microstructure.In this work,Nd-Fe-B magnets were manufactured using vacuum induction melting(VIM),laser directed energy deposition(LDED)and laser powder bed fusion(LPBF)technologies.Themicrostructure evolution and phase selection of Nd-Fe-B magnets were then clarified in detail.The results indicated that the solidification velocity(V)and cooling rate(R)are key factors in the phase selection.In terms of the VIM-casting Nd-Fe-B magnet,a large volume fraction of theα-Fe soft magnetic phase(39.7 vol.%)and Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phase(34.7 vol.%)areformed due to the low R(2.3×10-1?C s-1),whereas only a minor fraction of the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase(5.15 vol.%)is presented.For the LDED-processed Nd-Fe-B deposit,although the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase also had a low value(3.4 vol.%)as the values of V(<10-2m s-1)and R(5.06×103?C s-1)increased,part of theα-Fe soft magnetic phase(31.7vol.%)is suppressed,and a higher volume of Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phases(47.5 vol.%)areformed.As a result,both the VIM-casting and LDED-processed Nd-Fe-B deposits exhibited poor magnetic properties.In contrast,employing the high values of V(>10-2m s-1)and R(1.45×106?C s-1)in the LPBF process resulted in the substantial formation of the Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic phase(55.8 vol.%)directly from the liquid,while theα-Fe soft magnetic phase and Nd2Fe17Bxmetastable phase precipitation are suppressed in the LPBF-processed Nd-Fe-B magnet.Additionally,crystallographic texture analysis reveals that the LPBF-processedNd-Fe-B magnets exhibit isotropic magnetic characteristics.Consequently,the LPBF-processed Nd-Fe-B deposit,exhibiting a coercivity of 656 k A m-1,remanence of 0.79 T and maximum energy product of 71.5 k J m-3,achieved an acceptable magnetic performance,comparable to other additive manufacturing processed Nd-Fe-B magnets from MQP(Nd-lean)Nd-Fe-Bpowder.

Additively manufactured Ti–Ta–Cu alloys for the next-generation load-bearing implants

Bacterial colonization of orthopedic implants is one of the leading causes of failure and clinical complexities for load-bearing metallic implants. Topical or systemic administration of antibiotics may not offer the most efficient defense against colonization, especially in the case of secondary infection, leading to surgical removal of implants and in some cases even limbs. In this study, laser powder bed fusion was implemented to fabricate Ti3Al2V alloy by a 1:1 weight mixture of CpTi and Ti6Al4V powders. Ti-Tantalum(Ta)–Copper(Cu) alloys were further analyzed by the addition of Ta and Cu into the Ti3Al2V custom alloy. The biological,mechanical, and tribo-biocorrosion properties of Ti3Al2V alloy were evaluated. A 10 wt.% Ta(10Ta) and 3 wt.% Cu(3Cu) were added to the Ti3Al2V alloy to enhance biocompatibility and impart inherent bacterial resistance. Additively manufactured implants were investigated for resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains of bacteria for up to 48 h. A 3 wt.% Cu addition to Ti3Al2V displayed improved antibacterial efficacy, i.e.78%–86% with respect to CpTi. Mechanical properties for Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy were evaluated, demonstrating excellent fatigue resistance, exceptional shear strength, and improved tribological and tribo-biocorrosion characteristics when compared to Ti6Al4V. In vivo studies using a rat distal femur model revealed improved early-stage osseointegration for alloys with10 wt.% Ta addition compared to CpTi and Ti6Al4V. The 3 wt.% Cu-added compositions displayed biocompatibility and no adverse infammatory response in vivo. Our results establish the Ti3Al2V–10Ta–3Cu alloy’s synergistic effect on improving both in vivo biocompatibility and microbial resistance for the next generation of load-bearing metallic implants.

Digital manufacturing of personalized magnesium implants through binder jet additive manufacturing and automated post machining

While magnesium(Mg)is a promising material for personalized temporary implants,the lack of a digital manufacturing solution for Mg implants impedes its potential progress.This study introduces a hybrid manufacturing process that integrates binder jet additive manufacturing with automated dry post-machining to enable end-to-end digital manufacturing of personalized Mg implants.Spherical cap-shaped Mg implants were additively manufactured through binder jetting.These implants were placed on graphite flakes during sintering as a potential non-reactive support material,allowing unrestricted shrinkage of 15.2%to a relative density of 87%.Microstructural and dimensional analysis revealed consistent interconnected porous microstructures with a shrinkage distortion within±0.2 mm of the original digital drawing.High-speed dry milling of the sintered samples,assessed via an orthogonal cutting test,identified the optimized cutting parameters.A three-step machining process for automated 5-axis machining,along with clamping strategies,referencing,and an adaptive plug-in,were successfully implemented.The automated dry machining on binder-jet printed Mg implants resulted in an average roughness of<1.3μm with no defects.In summary,this work introduces a robust digital manufacturing solution to advance the transformative landscape of Mg implants and scaffolds.©2024 Chongqing University.Publishing services provided by Elsevier B.V.on behalf of KeAi Communications Co.Ltd.

An overview of additively manufactured metal matrix composites:preparation,performance,and challenge

Metal matrix composites(MMCs)are frequently employed in various advanced industries due to their high modulus and strength,favorable wear and corrosion resistance,and other good properties at elevated temperatures.In recent decades,additive manufacturing(AM)technology has garnered attention as a potential way for fabricating MMCs.This article provides a comprehensive review of recent endeavors and progress in AM of MMCs,encompassing available AM technologies,types of reinforcements,feedstock preparation,synthesis principles during the AM process,typical AM-produced MMCs,strengthening mechanisms,challenges,and future interests.Compared to conventionally manufactured MMCs,AM-produced MMCs exhibit more uniformly distributed reinforcements and refined microstructure,resulting in comparable or even better mechanical properties.In addition,AM technology can produce bulk MMCs with significantly low porosity and fabricate geometrically complex MMC components and MMC lattice structures.As reviewed,many AM-produced MMCs,such as Al matrix composites,Ti matrix composites,nickel matrix composites,Fe matrix composites,etc,have been successfully produced.The types and contents of reinforcements strongly influence the properties of AM-produced MMCs,the choice of AM technology,and the applied processing parameters.In these MMCs,four primary strengthening mechanisms have been identified:Hall–Petch strengthening,dislocation strengthening,load transfer strengthening,and Orowan strengthening.AM technologies offer advantages that enhance the properties of MMCs when compared with traditional fabrication methods.Despite the advantages above,further challenges of AM-produced MMCs are still faced,such as new methods and new technologies for investigating AM-produced MMCs,the intrinsic nature of MMCs coupled with AM technologies,and challenges in the AM processes.Therefore,the article concludes by discussing the challenges and future interests of AM of MMCs.

AI-Powered Innovations in High-Tech Research and Development: From Theory to Practice

This comparative review explores the dynamic and evolving landscape of artificial intelligence(AI)-powered innovations within high-tech research and development(R&D).It delves into both theoreticalmodels and practical applications across a broad range of industries,including biotechnology,automotive,aerospace,and telecom-munications.By examining critical advancements in AI algorithms,machine learning,deep learning models,simulations,and predictive analytics,the review underscores the transformative role AI has played in advancing theoretical research and shaping cutting-edge technologies.The review integrates both qualitative and quantitative data derived from academic studies,industry reports,and real-world case studies to showcase the tangible impacts of AI on product innovation,process optimization,and strategic decision-making.Notably,it discusses the challenges of integrating AI within complex industrial systems,such as ethical concerns,technical limitations,and the need for regulatory oversight.The findings reveal a mixed landscape where AI has significantly accelerated R&D processes,reduced costs,and enabled more precise simulations and predictions,but also highlighted gaps in knowledge transfer,skills adaptation,and cross-industry standardization.By bridging the gap between AI theory and practice,the review offers insights into the effectiveness,successes,and obstacles faced by organizations as they implement AI-driven solutions.Concluding with a forward-looking perspective,the review identifies emerging trends,future challenges,and promising opportunities inAI-poweredR&D,such as the rise of autonomous systems,AI-driven drug discovery,and sustainable energy solutions.It offers a holistic understanding of how AI is shaping the future of technological innovation and provides actionable insights for researchers,engineers,and policymakers involved in high-tech Research and Development(R&D).

Post processing of additive manufactured Mg alloys:Current status,challenges,and opportunities

Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys are emerging as a structural material for the aerospace,automobile,and electronics industries,driven by the imperative of weight reduction.They are also drawing notable attention in the medical industries owing to their biodegradability and a lower elastic modulus comparable to bone.The ability to manufacture near-net shape products featuring intricate geometries has sparked huge interest in additive manufacturing(AM)of Mg alloys,reflecting a transformation in the manufacturing sectors.However,AM of Mg alloys presents more formidable challenges due to inherent properties,particularly susceptibility to oxidation,gas trapping,high thermal expansion coefficient,and low solidification temperature.This leads to defects such as porosity,lack of fusion,cracking,delamination,residual stresses,and inhomogeneity,ultimately influencing the mechanical,corrosion,and surface properties of AM Mg alloys.To address these issues,post-processing of AM Mg alloys are often needed to make them suitable for application.The present article reviews all post-processing techniques adapted for AM Mg alloys to date,including heat treatment,hot isostatic pressing,friction stir processing,and surface peening.The utilization of these methods within the hybrid AM process,employing interlayer post-processing,is also discussed.Optimal post-processing conditions are reported,and their influence on the microstructure,mechanical,and corrosion properties are detailed.Additionally,future prospects and research directions are proposed.

Ballistic performance of additive manufacturing 316l stainless steel projectiles based on topology optimization method

Material and structure made by additive manufacturing(AM)have received much attention lately due to their flexibility and ability to customize complex structures.This study first implements multiple objective topology optimization simulations based on a projectile perforation model,and a new topologic projectile is obtained.Then two types of 316L stainless steel projectiles(the solid and the topology)are printed in a selective laser melt(SLM)machine to evaluate the penetration performance of the projectiles by the ballistic test.The experiment results show that the dimensionless specific kinetic energy value of topologic projectiles is higher than that of solid projectiles,indicating the better penetration ability of the topologic projectiles.Finally,microscopic studies(scanning electron microscope and X-ray micro-CT)are performed on the remaining projectiles to investigate the failure mechanism of the internal structure of the topologic projectiles.An explicit dynamics simulation was also performed,and the failure locations of the residual topologic projectiles were in good agreement with the experimental results,which can better guide the design of new projectiles combining AM and topology optimization in the future.

Quasi-static and dynamic compressive behaviour of additively manufactured Menger fractal cube structures

This paper presents the first-ever investigation of Menger fractal cubes'quasi-static compression and impact behaviour.Menger cubes with different void ratios were 3D printed using polylactic acid(PLA)with dimensions of 40 mm×40 mm×40 mm.Three different orders of Menger cubes with different void ratios were considered,namely M1 with a void ratio of 0.26,M2 with a void ratio of 0.45,and M3with a void ratio of 0.60.Quasi-static Compression tests were conducted using a universal testing machine,while the drop hammer was used to observe the behaviour under impact loading.The fracture mechanism,energy efficiency and force-time histories were studied.With the structured nature of the void formation and predictability of the failure modes,the Menger geometry showed some promise compared to other alternatives,such as foams and honeycombs.With the increasing void ratio,the Menger geometries show force-displacement behaviour similar to hyper-elastic materials such as rubber and polymers.The third-order Menger cubes showed the highest energy absorption efficiency compared to the other two geometries in this study.The findings of the present work reveal the possibility of using additively manufactured Menger geometries as an energy-efficient system capable of reducing the transmitting force in applications such as crash barriers.

Additive manufactured osseointegrated screws with hierarchical design

Bone screws are devices used to fix implants or bones to bones.However,conventional screws are mechanically fixed with thread and often face long-term failure due to poor osseointegration.To improve osseointegration,screws are evolving from solid and smooth to porous and rough.Additive manufacturing(AM)offers a high degree of manufacturing freedom,enabling the preparation of predesigned screws that are porous and rough.This paper provides an overview of the problems currently faced by bone screws:long-term loosening and screw breakage.Next,advances in osseointegrated screws are summarized hierarchically(sub-micro,micro,and macro).At the sub-microscale level,we describe surface-modification techniques for enhancing osseointegration.At the micro level,we summarize the micro-design parameters that affect the mechanical and biological properties of porous osseointegrated screws,including porosity,pore size,and pore shape.In addition,we highlight three promising pore shapes:triply periodic minimal surface,auxetic structure with negative Poisson ratio,and the Voronoi structure.At the macro level,we outline the strategies of graded design,gradient design,and topology optimization design to improve the mechanical strength of porous osseointegrated screws.Simultaneously,this paper outlines advances in AM technology for enhancing the mechanical properties of porous osseointegrated screws.AM osseointegrated screws with hierarchical design are expected to provide excellent long-term fixation and the required mechanical strength.

A Hybrid Deep Learning and Machine Learning-Based Approach to Classify Defects in Hot Rolled Steel Strips for Smart Manufacturing

Smart manufacturing is a process that optimizes factory performance and production quality by utilizing various technologies including the Internet of Things(IoT)and artificial intelligence(AI).Quality control is an important part of today’s smart manufacturing process,effectively reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency.As technology in the industry becomes more advanced,identifying and classifying defects has become an essential element in ensuring the quality of products during the manufacturing process.In this study,we introduce a CNN model for classifying defects on hot-rolled steel strip surfaces using hybrid deep learning techniques,incorporating a global average pooling(GAP)layer and a machine learning-based SVM classifier,with the aim of enhancing accuracy.Initially,features are extracted by the VGG19 convolutional block.Then,after processing through the GAP layer,the extracted features are fed to the SVM classifier for classification.For this purpose,we collected images from publicly available datasets,including the Xsteel surface defect dataset(XSDD)and the NEU surface defect(NEU-CLS)datasets,and we employed offline data augmentation techniques to balance and increase the size of the datasets.The outcome of experiments shows that the proposed methodology achieves the highest metrics score,with 99.79%accuracy,99.80%precision,99.79%recall,and a 99.79%F1-score for the NEU-CLS dataset.Similarly,it achieves 99.64%accuracy,99.65%precision,99.63%recall,and a 99.64%F1-score for the XSDD dataset.A comparison of the proposed methodology to the most recent study showed that it achieved superior results as compared to the other studies.

Solvent-Free Manufacturing of Lithium-Ion Battery Electrodes via Cold Plasma

Slurry casting has been used to fabricate lithium-ion battery electrodes for decades,which involves toxic and expensive organic solvents followed by high-cost vacuum drying and electrode calendering.This work presents a new manufacturing method using a nonthermal plasma to create inter-particle binding without using any polymeric binding materials,enabling solvent-free manufacturing electrodes with any electrochemistry of choice.The cold-plasma-coating technique enables fabricating electrodes with thickness(>200 pm),high mass loading(>30 mg cm^(-2)),high peel strength,and the ability to print lithium-ion batteries in an arbitrary geometry.This crosscutting,chemistry agnostic,platform technology would increase energy density,eliminate the use of solvents,vacuum drying,and calendering processes during production,and reduce manufacturing cost for current and future cell designs.Here,lithium iron phosphate and lithium cobalt oxide were used as examples to demonstrate the efficacy of the cold-plasma-coating technique.It is found that the mechanical peel strength of cold-plasma-coating-manufactured lithium iron phosphate is over an order of magnitude higher than that of slurry-casted lithium iron phosphate electrodes.Full cells assembled with a graphite anode and the cold-plasma-coating-lithium iron phosphate cathode offer highly reversible cycling performance with a capacity retention of 81.6%over 500 cycles.For the highly conductive cathode material lithium cobalt oxide,an areal capacity of 4.2 mAh cm^(-2)at 0.2 C is attained.We anticipate that this new,highly scalable manufacturing technique will redefine global lithium-ion battery manufacturing providing significantly reduced plant footprints and material costs.

Method for Detecting Industrial Defects in Intelligent Manufacturing Using Deep Learning

With the advent of Industry 4.0,marked by a surge in intelligent manufacturing,advanced sensors embedded in smart factories now enable extensive data collection on equipment operation.The analysis of such data is pivotal for ensuring production safety,a critical factor in monitoring the health status of manufacturing apparatus.Conventional defect detection techniques,typically limited to specific scenarios,often require manual feature extraction,leading to inefficiencies and limited versatility in the overall process.Our research presents an intelligent defect detection methodology that leverages deep learning techniques to automate feature extraction and defect localization processes.Our proposed approach encompasses a suite of components:the high-level feature learning block(HLFLB),the multi-scale feature learning block(MSFLB),and a dynamic adaptive fusion block(DAFB),working in tandem to extract meticulously and synergistically aggregate defect-related characteristics across various scales and hierarchical levels.We have conducted validation of the proposed method using datasets derived from gearbox and bearing assessments.The empirical outcomes underscore the superior defect detection capability of our approach.It demonstrates consistently high performance across diverse datasets and possesses the accuracy required to categorize defects,taking into account their specific locations and the extent of damage,proving the method’s effectiveness and reliability in identifying defects in industrial components.

A critical review of direct laser additive manufacturing ceramics

The urgent need for integrated molding and sintering across various industries has inspired the development of additive manu-facturing(AM)ceramics.Among the different AM technologies,direct laser additive manufacturing(DLAM)stands out as a group of highly promising technology for flexibly manufacturing ceramics without molds and adhesives in a single step.Over the last decade,sig-nificant and encouraging progress has been accomplished in DLAM of high-performance ceramics,including Al_(2)O_(3),ZrO_(2),Al_(2)O_(3)/ZrO_(2),SiC,and others.However,high-performance ceramics fabricated by DLAM face challenges such as formation of pores and cracks and resultant low mechanical properties,hindering their practical application in high-end equipment.Further improvements are necessary be-fore they can be widely adopted.Methods such as field-assisted techniques and post-processing can be employed to address these chal-lenges,but a more systematic review is needed.This work aims to critically review the advancements in direct selective laser sintering/melting(SLS/SLM)and laser directed energy deposition(LDED)for various ceramic material systems.Additionally,it provides an overview of the current challenges,future research opportunities,and potential applications associated with DLAM of high-perform-ance ceramics.

Robust interface and excellent as-built mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V fabricated through laser-aided additive manufacturing with powder and wire

The feasibility of manufacturing Ti-6Al-4V samples through a combination of laser-aided additive manufacturing with powder(LAAM_(p))and wire(LAAM_(w))was explored.A process study was first conducted to successfully circumvent defects in Ti-6Al-4V deposits for LAAM_(p) and LAAM_(w),respectively.With the optimized process parameters,robust interfaces were achieved between powder/wire deposits and the forged substrate,as well as between powder and wire deposits.Microstructure characterization results revealed the epitaxial prior β grains in the deposited Ti-6Al-4V,wherein the powder deposit was dominated by a finerα′microstructure and the wire deposit was characterized by lamellar α phases.The mechanisms of microstructure formation and correlation with mechanical behavior were analyzed and discussed.The mechanical properties of the interfacial samples can meet the requirements of the relevant Aerospace Material Specifications(AMS 6932)even without post heat treatment.No fracture occurred within the interfacial area,further suggesting the robust interface.The findings of this study highlighted the feasibility of combining LAAM_(p) and LAAM_(w) in the direct manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V parts in accordance with the required dimensional resolution and deposition rate,together with sound strength and ductility balance in the as-built condition.

Mechanical and corrosion properties of full liquid phase sintered WE43 magnesium alloy specimens fabricated via binder jetting additive manufacturing

This study investigates full liquid phase sintering as a process of fabrication parts from WE43(Mg-4wt.%Y-3wt.%RE-0.7wt.%Zr)alloy using binder jetting additive manufacturing(BJAM).This fabrication process is being developed for use in producing structural or biomedical devices.Specifically,this study focused on achieving a near-dense microstructure with WE43 Mg alloy while substantially reducing the duration of sintering post-processing after BJAM part rendering.The optimal process resulted in microstructure with 2.5%porosity and significantly reduced sintering time.The improved sintering can be explained by the presence of Y_(2)O_(3)and Nd_(2)O_(3)oxide layers,which form spontaneously on the surface of WE43 powder used in BJAM.These layers appear to be crucial in preventing shape distortion of the resulting samples and in enabling the development of sintering necks,particularly under sintering conditions exceeding the liquidus temperature of WE43 alloy.Sintered WE43 specimens rendered by BJAM achieved significant improvement in both corrosion resistance and mechanical properties through reduced porosity levels related to the sintering time.