Effect of the CMT advanced process combined with an active cooling technique on macro and microstructural aspects of aluminum WAAM
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 26 June 2021
Issue publication date: 15 July 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to assess the combined effect of the Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) advanced process and of a thermal management technique (near immersion active cooling [NIAC]) on the macro and microstructure of Al wall-like preforms built by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). As specific objective, it sought to provide information on the effects of the electrode-positive/electrode-negative (EP/EN) parameter in the CMT advanced process fundamental characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
Initially, bead-on-plate deposits were produced with different EP/EN ratios, still keeping the same deposition rate, and the outcomes on the electrical signal traces and bead formation were analyzed. In a second stage, the EP/EN parameter and the layer edge to water distance (LEWD) parameter from the NIAC technique were systematically varied and the resultant macro and microstructures compared with those formed by applying natural cooling.
Findings
Constraints of EP/EN setting range were uncovered and discussed. The use of the NIAC technique favors the formation of finer grains. For a given EP/EN value, a variation in the NIAC intensity (LEWD value) showed marginal effect on grain size. When the EP/EN parameter effect is isolated, i.e. for a given LEWD setting, it was observed that an increase in the EP/EN level favors coarser grains.
Originality/value
Both the EP/EN parameter and the use of an active cooling technique (NIAC) might be used, even in combination, as effective tools for achieving proper macro and microstructure in WAAM of thin wall builds.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Center for Research and Development of Welding Processes of the Federal University of Uberlandia (LAPROSOLDA-UFU) for the laboratory infrastructure and technical support. This work was supported by The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – CNPq (grant numbers 302863/2016-8, 315092/2018-1, and 157715/2019-1), The Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – CAPES (Finance Code 001 and grant number 88887.373591/2019-00) and PETROBRAS (project number 23117.018175/2019-80).
Citation
Teixeira, F.R., Scotti, F.M., Reis, R.P. and Scotti, A. (2021), "Effect of the CMT advanced process combined with an active cooling technique on macro and microstructural aspects of aluminum WAAM", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 27 No. 6, pp. 1206-1219. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-11-2020-0285
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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