Featured Application: This work is a detailed comparison of the direct laser and electron additive manufacturing methods, which could help scientific research institutes and companies choose the best 3D printer system for the fabrication of titanium implants.Abstract: Additive Manufacturing (AM) methods are generally used to produce an early sample or near net-shape elements based on three-dimensional geometrical modules. To date, publications on AM of metal implants have mainly focused on knee and hip replacements or bone scaffolds for tissue engineering. The direct fabrication of metallic implants can be achieved by methods, such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) or Electron Beam Melting (EBM). This work compares the SLM and EBM methods used in the fabrication of titanium bone implants by analyzing the microstructure, mechanical properties and cytotoxicity. The SLM process was conducted in an environmental chamber using 0.4-0.6 vol % of oxygen to enhance the mechanical properties of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy. SLM processed material had high anisotropy of mechanical properties and superior UTS (1246-1421 MPa) when compared to the EBM (972-976 MPa) and the wrought material (933-942 MPa). The microstructure and phase composition depended on the used fabrication method. The AM methods caused the formation of long epitaxial grains of the prior β phase. The equilibrium phases (α + β) and non-equilibrium α' martensite was obtained after EBM and SLM, respectively. Although it was found that the heat transfer that occurs during the layer by layer generation of the component caused aluminum content deviations, neither methods generated any cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, in contrast to SLM, the EBM fabricated material met the ASTMF136 standard for surgical implant applications.
Inconel 718 is a precipitation hardenable nickel-iron based superalloy. It has exceptionally high strength and ductility compared to other metallic materials. This is due to intense precipitation of the γ' and γ" strengthening phases in the temperature range 650-850°C. The main purpose of the authors was to analyze the aging process in Inconel 718 obtained in accordance with AMS 5596, and its effect on the mechanical properties. Tensile and hardness tests were used to evaluate the mechanical properties, in the initial aging process and after reheating, as a function of temperature and time respectively in the ranges 650°-900°C and 5-480 min. In addition, to link the mechanical properties with the microstructure transmission microscopy observations were carried out in selected specimens. As a result, factors influencing the microstructure changes at various stages of strengthening were observed. The authors found that the γ'' phase nucleates mostly homogenously in the temperature range 650-750°C, causing the greatest increase in strength. On the other hand, the γ' and δ phases are formed heterogeneously at 850°C or after longer annealing in 800°C, which may weaken the material.
The paper discusses the investigations on combustion engines that aim at the evaluation of the influence of engine design modifications on the exhaust emissions under application of lubricants of different physicochemical parameters. In the engines the authors applied laser treated cylinder liners, piston rings of reduced pressure force on the cylinder liner and optimized the assembling clearances in the slide bearings. The research was carried out in accordance with the ESC and ELR compliant procedures using different engine lubricants. The measurement series were performed for diesel engines of the capacity of 1.3 dm3 of the power outputs of 51 kW and 66 kW. The tested objects were fitted with aftertreatment systems (oxycat and DPF filter).
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