Fabrication of heat-resisting nickel composite gradient structures with TiC nano additive during powder bed fusion process

Abstract

In the present study, we the experimentally determined regimes of powder bed fusion (PBF) for multilayered 3D parts of metal matrix composites (ММС) based on nickel heat resistance alloy with TiC nano ceramic reinforced additive. Via combinatorial method of design, it was shown the possibility of layer-by-layer PBF of functional grade (FG) 3D parts from these MMC for the account of increasing the alloying element concentration - (5 % – 10 % – 15%vol) for nano TiC in NiCrSiB matrix. Methods of optical and scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray and EDX microanalysis, microhardness measurement have been used to estimate the structure formation features in the fabricated gradient layers. Phase analysis of the fabricated MMC showed that the initial TiC particles are dissolved after the laser remelting with different velocities depending on the layer height concerning substrate. It was shown the control capability by the mechanical properties (microhardness) within such FG cladded layers.