No abstract

The microstructure, penetration depth and mechanical properties of gas metal arc weldments of AISI 304 stainless steel were investigated within a process window. 9 weldments were produced using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array technique. Well bonded, crack-and pore-free weld joints were obtainable at wire feed rate of 66-96 mm/s, voltage of 19-25 V and welding speed of 5.0-9.6 mm/s. The weld joint hardness (305-395 HV) decreased with increasing the heat energy input. However, weld penetration depth (2.67-4.86 mm) increased as the heat energy input increased. Full weld penetration was achieved at heat energy value of 519 J/mm. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) first increased with increasing the heat energy input until an optimum value of 765 ± 12 MPa was obtained at 519 J/mm after which there was a decline. The weld penetration of the joints is adjudged to play a significant role on the UTS of the weldments.

The present paper reviews the concept of wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), its associated defects, and the existing post-processing methods for product quality enhancement. The application of friction stir processing (a surface modification technique) for enhancing the microstructure and mechanical properties of wire arc additively manufactured parts was considered as a new horizon in this field of research. Finally, the article concludes that the widespread usage of WAAM is still challenged by some obstacles, which may need to be targeted and addressed in unique ways for different materials in order to generate functional systems in a reasonable amount of time. Unifying materials and manufacturing techniques to produce defect-free and structurally robust deposited parts will become increasingly important in the future.

The microstructure, penetration depth and mechanical properties of gas metal arc weldments of AISI 304 stainless steel were investigated within a process window. 9 weldments were produced using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array technique. Well bonded, crack-and pore-free weld joints were obtainable at wire feed rate of 66-96 mm/s, voltage of 19-25 V and welding speed of 5.0-9.6 mm/s. The weld joint hardness (305-395 HV) decreased with increasing the heat energy input. However, weld penetration depth (2.67-4.86 mm) increased as the heat energy input increased. Full weld penetration was achieved at heat energy value of 519 J/mm. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) first increased with increasing the heat energy input until an optimum value of 765 ± 12 MPa was obtained at 519 J/mm after which there was a decline. The weld penetration of the joints is adjudged to play a significant role on the UTS of the weldments.