Microstructures of Niobium Components Fabricated by Electron Beam Melting

Abstract

This article presents columnar grain structures characteristic of niobium components fabricated by electron beam melting, using two different size and size distribution spherical powders produced by rapid solidification atomization. The precursor powder microstructures are characterized by equiaxed grains while the columnar grain structure in the electron beam melted (EBM)-fabricated products contain dislocation substructures ranging in density from *10 9 to 10 10 /cm 2 as observed by transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis illustrates the variations in orientations in both the processor powders and the fabricated components. Microindentation hardness values ranged from 0.8 GPa for the precursor powders and 1.1 and 0.92 GPa for the EBM-fabricated, solid components.

A Metallographic Review of 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing of Metal and Alloy Products and Components

“…(111) and (111) planes, respectively. The vertical plane section is (111), and C and D denote traces of [112] and [110] corresponding to the fcc (111) and (111) planes, respectively One of the highest melting metals fabricated by EBM is niobium (* 2477°C) as described by Martinez et al [91]. Niobium products have applications in superconducting cavity designs, and niobium alloys, some of which (Nb-Ti) continue to be the commercial superconducting wire of choice, have been investigated as the next-generation hightemperature components [92,93].…”

Discrete element modeling of particle-based additive manufacturing processes

“…A comparative review of EBM and SLM is offered by [31]. EBM permits the use of a very broad range of materials; steels [32] and titanium [33] are common, but exotic materials such as niobium [34] and beryllium have also fabricated by means of…”

Classification of challenges in 3D printing for combined electrochemical and microfluidic applications: a review

“…Further, the sensors, which are in electrochemical areas are manufactured by screen printing (Chang et al , 2009), inkjet (Guo et al , 2017) and e-beam deposition (Martinez et al , 2013) methods. Microfluidic devices use glass, silicon and polymer materials, which are manufactured using micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS).…”

“…Further focus evolved for stem cell studies and tissue engineering. Through EBM, microstructures of niobium components were fabricated, where agglomeration phenomenon could not be avoided and the process of passing electron beam involves vacuum and high cost for infra-structure (Martinez et al , 2013).…”