Modernization and Integration of Technologies for Ground Systems (MINT-GS): Qualification of 17-4PH Stainless Steel Manufactured Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion & Direct Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing Processes

There is a critical military need to improve readiness and operational performance by utilizing Additive Manufacturing (AM) for the sustainment and modernization of ground vehicles. AM opens the opportunity to add value to the manufacturing of parts and components that may be limited or not achievable by traditional manufacturing methods and materials. Additionally, AM can serve as a secondary source of manufacturing that can solve supply-chain and obsolescence issues at the point of need or point of repair. One of the primary challenges that exists with AM is the lack of defined standards for the qualification of materials and processes. WSU-NIAR is collaborating with the Army Ground Vehicle System Center to address this challenge by establishing a rapid qualification process utilizing Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Direct Energy Deposition (DED) AM processes with 17-4PH stainless steel material applied to ground vehicle parts of need. An overview of the 2023 MINT-GS projects at WSU-NIAR is discussed throughout this paper. In the early stages of this effort, candidate parts were jointly identified and a suitability assessment was performed for the AM processes considered using 17-4PH stainless steel. An overview of the critical path parts selected for qualification is provided along with the criteria used for the suitability assessment. Additionally, the pre-qualification (screening) and qualification considerations are discussed for each modality.