Defects and 3D structural inhomogeneity in electron beam additively manufactured Inconel 718

TitleDefects and 3D structural inhomogeneity in electron beam additively manufactured Inconel 718
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsPolonsky AT, Echlin MP, Lenthe WC, Dehoff RR, Kirka MM, Pollock TM
JournalMaterials Characterization
Volume143
Pagination171–181
ISSN10445803
KeywordsAdditive manufacturing, Electron beam melting, Lack of fusion, Microstructure, Tomography
Abstract

Material structure and defects created during additive manufacturing contribute to the variability in mechanical properties of these parts, limiting their use for critical applications. Three-dimensional crystallographic, structural, and chemical information in electron beam melted Inconel 718 was collected from the sub-micron to the millimeter scale using the TriBeam tomography system. The relationship of defects to the surrounding microstructure has been studied in detail. Lack of fusion defects created sharp discontinuities in the grain morphology that extended several build layers beyond the layer where the defect originated. Nitrides and carbides in the size range of 1.25 μm to 10 μm were observed throughout the volume, with pronounced nitride clustering. The similarities between solidification in additive manufacturing and traditional manufacturing processes are demonstrated by the comparable size and distribution of carbides measured for industrial-scale samples of 718. Defects created during additive manufacturing cannot be easily remedied via standard post-processing techniques, and will likely diminish the mechanical performance of additively manufactured parts.

DOI10.1016/j.matchar.2018.02.020