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Additive technologies are now widely used for the production of complex precise parts and have high potential for the production of forming dies. In this work, hot-forming dies optimized for additive manufacturing were developed and produced with wire arc direct energy deposition (WA-DED) and laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technologies. The concept of lightweight hot-forming dies with a 2D-lattice structure was developed, which reduced the weight of each die by 56%, from 14.2 kg to 6.1 kg, in production using L-PBF. Maraging/precipitation-hardened steel 17-4PH was used as an alternative to traditional hot-working steels with slightly lower mechanical properties and a much higher processability in the additive manufacturing process. The workability of the manufactured dies was confirmed by forging tests on an industrial screw press. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market demands coating processes with high-performance, high reliability, high flexibility for processing of complex geometries and multi-material depositions, as well as increased deposition rates. The systematic coupling of two plasma transferred arc welding systems that interact in the same melt pool to form a tandem Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) system accomplishes these tasks. Previous research has shown that the deposition rate with the tandem PTA method reaches 240 percent when comparing to the conventional single torch PTA method. Within one layer, up to four different powders and powder fractions can be combined at the same time. This allows for the creation of multi-material coatings that are suitable for sustaining high mechanical loads and wear- and temperature-resistant surfaces by use of tungsten carbides (WC). This study examines and analyzes defined functionally graded structures made from super duplex steel 1.4410 and corrosion resistant austenitic steel 1.4404. The mechanical-chemical properties of the tandem PTA system can be precisely controlled by changing the powder feeding positions. Furthermore, an additively manufactured specimen from previous studies is examined and evaluated. A direct comparison with conventional single torch PTA was performed to demonstrate the benefits of the tandem PTA-process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) involves the deposition of weld beads layer by layer using an electric arc energy source. However, during this procedure, the properties of each layer may differ because of unequal thermal distribution, resulting in a difference in microstructure and, therefore, mechanical properties in between the layers. This negative effect can be compensated for by combining WAAM with a subsequent forming process to introduce dynamic recrystallization, which allows a more homogeneous microstructure distribution within the material. This paper investigates numerically and experimentally the hybrid process of combined WAAM and forming of fine-grained mild steel (FGMS) SG3/G4Si (1.5130) to achieve a high degree of recrystallization in all layers of the WAAM-deposited material. Three different possible combinations of WAAM and forming are considered regarding the sequence and setup of the processes to show their influences on the recrystallization behavior. It was found that combining welding and forming allows recrystallization of up to two layers; however, the top layer is not recrystallized. Preliminary simulation results show that this can be resolved by adding a top roller to induce plastic strain after welding, leading to recrystallization in the top layer. The found results promise a certain controllability of the recrystallization behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cladding is typically used to protect components from wear and corrosion while also improving the aesthetic value and reliability of the substrate. The cladding process induces significant residual stresses due to the temperature difference between the substrate and the clad layer. However, these residual stresses could be effectively utilized by modifying processes and geometrical parameters. This paper introduces a novel methodology for using the weld-cladding process as a cost-effective alternative to various existing reinforcement techniques. The numerical analyses are performed to maximize the reinforcement of a cylindrical tool. The investigation of how the weld cladding develops compressive stresses on the specimen in response to a change in the weld beads and the welding sequence is presented. For the benchmark shape, experimental verification of the numerical model is performed. The influence of the distance between the weld beads and the effect of the tool diameter is numerically investigated. Furthermore, the variation in compressive stresses due to temperature fluctuations during the extrusion process has been evaluated. The results showed that adequate compressive stresses are generated on the welded parts through the cladding process after cooling. More compressive stresses are induced in the tool as the cross-section of the weld bead is increased. Furthermore, keeping a gap between the adjacent beads improves tool reinforcement. Hence, the targeted reinforcement of the substrate can be achieved by optimizing the welding sequence and process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how the initial austenite grain size in quench and partitioning (Q-P) processes influences the final mechanical properties of Q-P steels. Differences in austenite grain size distribution may result, for example, from uneven heating rates of semi-finished products prior to a forging process. In order to quantify this influence, a carefully defined heat treatment of a cylindrical specimen made of the Q-P-capable 42SiCr steel was performed in a dilatometer. Different austenite grain sizes were adjusted by a pre-treatment before the actual Q-P process. The resulting mechanical properties were determined using the upsetting test and the corresponding microstructures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These investigations show that a larger austenite grain size prior to Q-P processing leads to a slightly lower strength as well as to a coarser martensitic microstructure in the Q-P-treated material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]