Microstructure analysis of TIG welded additively manufactured prepared joints of Ni-based superalloys produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of entire assemblies is not typically practical for technical and economic reasons. The build size limitations and high production costs of L-PBF make it competitive for smaller, highly complex components, while the less complex elements of an assembly are manufactured conventionally. This leads to scenarios that use L-PBF only where it’s beneficial and requires integration and joining to form the final product. Today the welding process requires complex welding fixtures and tack welds to ensure correct alignment and positioning of parts for repeatable results. In this paper, both L-PBF and milled weld preparations are presented to simplify Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding of rotationally symmetrical geometries using integrated features for alignment and fixation. All welds produced in this study passed the highest evaluation group B according to DIN 5817.

Citation: Ole Geisen, Tad Steinberg, “Microstructure analysis of TIG welded additively manufactured prepared joints of Ni-based superalloys produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion,” In Proceedings of the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS), NDIA, Novi, MI, Aug. 16-18, 2022.