An official website of the United States government
This work introduces a method for co-localized multi-modal imaging of sub-μm features in an additively manufactured (AM) titanium alloy. Ti-6Al-4V parts manufactured by electron beam melting powder bed fusion were subjected to hot isostatic pressing to seal internal porosity and machined to remove contour–hatch interfaces. Electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy-based techniques (electron backscatter diffraction and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy) were used to measure and categorize the effects of crystallographic texture, misorientation, and phase content on the relative differences in the Volta potential of α-Ti and β-Ti phases. Given the tunability of additive manufacturing processes, recommendations for texture and phase control are discussed. In particular, our findings indicate that the potential for micro-galvanic corrosion initiation can be regulated in AM Ti-6Al-4V parts by minimizing both the total area of {111} prior-β grains and the number of contact points between {111} β grains and α laths that originate from {001} prior-β grains.
more »
« less
Metastable cellular structures govern localized corrosion damage development in additive manufactured stainless steel
Abstract The rapid solidification associated with additive manufacturing (AM) leads to complex microstructures with peculiar features amongst which cellular solidification structures are the most remarkable. These metastable structures possess a clear segregation pattern dictated by the solidification pathway of the alloy and are bounded by dislocation walls. While they confer exceptional strength and ductility to AM 316L stainless steel, their effect on localized corrosion in chloride environments remains to be established. Here, we employ correlative electron microscopy to reveal coupled chemical, electrochemical, and crystallographic effects on localized corrosion attack and its development. We show that the Cr and Mo-depleted interior of the cellular solidification structures dissolves selectively, giving rise to an intricate damage morphology, that is directly related to the underlying crystallographic orientation. Whereas surface observations only reveal apparently shallow micrometer-size cavities, 3D tomography via focused ion beam serial-sectioning shows a high degree of connectivity between these features underneath the surface. We reveal this intricate morphology, propose a formation mechanism, and discuss alloy design guidelines to mitigate this phenomenon.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 2236640
- PAR ID:
- 10503976
- Publisher / Repository:
- Nature Publishing Group
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- npj Materials Degradation
- Volume:
- 8
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2397-2106
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
null (Ed.)Abstract High-entropy alloys (HEAs) with multiple principal elements represent a paradigm shift in structural alloy design and show excellent surface degradation resistance in corrosive environment. Here, the tribo-corrosion response of laser-engineered net-shaped CoCrFeMnNi HEA was evaluated in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at room temperature. The additively manufactured (AM-ed) CoCrFeMnNi showed five times lower wear rate, regenerative passivation, and nobler corrosion potential during tribo-corrosion test compared to its arc-melted counterpart. A significant anisotropy was seen in the tribo-corrosion response with 45° to the build direction showing better performance compared to tests along the build direction and perpendicular to it. The open circuit potential curves were characterized by a sharp drop to more negative values as wear began, followed by continuous change for the active tribo-corrosion duration and finally a jump to nobler value at the end of the test indicating excellent surface re-passivation for the AM-ed alloy. The superior tribo-corrosion resistance of AM-ed CoCrFeMnNi was attributed to the refined microstructure and highly protective surface passivation layer promoted by the sub-grain cellular structure formed during additive manufacturing. These results highlight the potential of utilizing additive manufacturing of HEAs for use in extreme environments that require a combination of tribo-corrosion resistance, mechanical durability, extended service life, and net shaping with low dimensional tolerance.more » « less
-
Nickel-based alloys, Alloys 625 and 718, are widely used in the aerospace industry due to their excellent corrosion resistance and high strength at elevated temperatures. Recently, these alloys have been utilized to manufacture rocket engine components using additive manufacturing (AM) technologies such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and powder-blown laser-based directed energy deposition (DED). These technologies offer faster and more cost-effective production while enabling the fabrication of near-net-shape parts that are subsequently joined by welding. However, solidification cracking susceptibility varies significantly between AM and conventionally processed materials, and limited weldability characterization has been conducted on AM-fabricated materials. This study assesses the weld solidification cracking susceptibility of Alloys 625 and 718 produced by wrought (mill-rolled), LPBF, and DED using transverse varestraint testing, Scheil-Gulliver simulations, the Crack Susceptibility Index (CSI), and the Flow Resistance Index (FRI). Transverse varestraint testing revealed that AM parts exhibited higher susceptibility due to the presence of larger and elongated grains in the fusion zone, affecting the weld solidification cracking response. In Alloy 625, the LPBF condition exhibited the highest maximum crack distance (MCD) of 2.35 ± 0.16 mm, compared to 1.56 ± 0.06 mm for wrought and 1.72 ± 0.10 mm for DED. Similarly, in Alloy 718, the DED condition showed the highest MCD of 2.93 ± 0.41 mm, while the wrought condition had an MCD of 2.01 ± 0.12 mm, and the LPBF condition reached 3.01 ± 0.33 mm at 5 % strain, without a clearly defined saturation strain. Although wrought materials demonstrated greater resistance to solidification cracking, solidification simulations did not correlate with the experimental testing, as they do not account for microstructural and mechanical factors, relying solely on chemistry.more » « less
-
Abstract Controlling microstructure in fusion-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) remains a significant challenge due to the many parameters that directly impact solidification condition. Multiprincipal element alloys (MPEAs), also known as high entropy alloys, offer a vast compositional space to design for microstructural engineering due to their chemical complexity and exceptional properties. Here, we use the FeMnCoCr system as a model platform for exploring alloy design in MPEAs for AM. By exploiting the decreasing stability of the face-centered cubic phase with increasing Mn content, we achieve notable grain refinement and breakdown of epitaxial columnar grain growth. We employ a multifaceted approach encompassing thermodynamic modeling, operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction, multiscale microstructural characterization, and mechanical testing to gain insight into the solidification physics and its ramifications on the resulting microstructure of FeMnCoCr MPEAs. This work aims toward tailoring desirable grain sizes and morphology through targeted manipulation of phase stability, thereby advancing microstructure control in AM applications.more » « less
-
Abstract Corrosion is a ubiquitous failure mode of materials. Often, the progression of localized corrosion is accompanied by the evolution of porosity in materials previously reported to be either three-dimensional or two-dimensional. However, using new tools and analysis techniques, we have realized that a more localized form of corrosion, which we call 1D wormhole corrosion, has previously been miscategorized in some situations. Using electron tomography, we show multiple examples of this 1D and percolating morphology. To understand the origin of this mechanism in a Ni-Cr alloy corroded by molten salt, we combined energy-filtered four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy and ab initio density functional theory calculations to develop a vacancy mapping method with nanometer-resolution, identifying a remarkably high vacancy concentration in the diffusion-induced grain boundary migration zone, up to 100 times the equilibrium value at the melting point. Deciphering the origins of 1D corrosion is an important step towards designing structural materials with enhanced corrosion resistance.more » « less
