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Purpose The paper reports an investigation into the mechanical behaviour of hybrid components produced by combining the capabilities of metal injection moulding (MIM) with the laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF) process to produce small series of hybrid components. The research investigates systematically the mechanical properties and the performance of the MIM/PBF interfaces in such hybrid components. Design/methodology/approach The MIM process is employed to fabricate relatively lower cost preforms in higher quantities, whereas the PBF technology is deployed to build on them sections that can be personalised, customised or functionalised to meet specific technical requirements. Findings The results are discussed, and conclusions are made about the mechanical performance of such hybrid components produced in batches and also about the production efficiency of the investigated hybrid manufacturing (HM) route. The obtained results show that the proposed HM route can produce hybrid MIM/PBF components with consistent mechanical properties and interface performance which comply with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Originality/value The manufacturing of hybrid components, especially by combining the capabilities of additive manufacturing processes with cost-effective complementary technologies, is designed to be exploited by industry because they can offer flexibility and cost advantages in producing small series of customisable products. The findings of this research will contribute to further develop the state of the art in regards to the manufacturing and optimisation of hybrid components.

Hybrid manufacture of components by combining capabilities of replication and additive manufacturing processes offer a flexible and sustainable route for producing cost-effectively small batches of metal parts. At present, there are open issues related to surface integrity and performance of such parts, especially when utilising them in safety critical applications. The research presented in this paper investigates the ductility amplification of hybrid components produced using metal injection moulding to preform and then build on them customisable sections by laser-based powder bed fusion. The properties of such hybrid components are studied and optimised through the use of non-conventional post treatment techniques. In particular, hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is employed to improve mechanical strength and to produce hybrid components that have consistent properties across batches and throughout the samples, minimising microstructural heterogeneities between fabrication processes. Thus, the investigated post-processing method can offer an extended service life of hybrid components, especially when operating under severe conditions. The optimised post treatment was found to increase the hybrid components’ strength compared to as-built ones by 68% and ~11% in yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS), respectively. Subsequently, leading to a great pitting resistance, thus, making HIP samples suitable for corrosive environments. The advantages of the HIP treatments in comparison to the conventional heat treatment of hybrid components are discussed and also some potential application areas are proposed.

It is generally recognised that electron beam melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V alloys exhibit a microstructural gradient along the build direction, but there have been some inconsistent experimental observations and debate as to the origin and magnitude of this effect. Here we present an unambiguous evaluation of this microstructural gradient and associated mechanical property along the EBM build direction on purpose-built round bar RB samples with build height of 380 mm and rectangular plate RP samples with build height of 120 mm. Columnar prior β grain width was found to increase (from 86 ± 38 to 154 ± 56 µm in RB and from 79 ± 34 to 122 ± 56 µm in RP samples) with the build height and the similar increase was also observed for α lath width (from 0.58 ± 24 to 0.87 ± 33 µm in RB and from 1.50 ± 45 to 1.80 ± 49 µm in RP samples). These observations can be attributed to the thermal gradient in the powder bed that produced a cooling rate gradient along the build height. The measured α lath width variation along the build height followed a log-normal distribution. The graded microstructure resulted in a decrease in micro-hardness which correlated very well with the mean α lath width by following a Hall-Petch relation.

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the effects on material properties of layer-by-layer application of pressure during fabrication of polymeric parts by additive manufacturing (AM). Although AM, also known popularly as 3D printing, has set a new standard for ease of use and minimal restraint on geometric complexity, the mechanical part properties do not generally compare with conventional manufacturing processes. Contrary to other types of polymer processing, AM systems do not normally use (in-process) pressure during part consolidation. Design/methodology/approach – Tensile specimens were produced in Somos 201 using conventional laser sintering (LS) and selective laser printing (SLP) – a process under development in the UK, which incorporates the use of pressure to assist layer consolidation. Findings – Mechanical testing demonstrated the potential to additively manufacture parts with significantly improved microstructure and mechanical properties which match or exceed conventional processing. For example, the average elongation at break and ultimate tensile strength of a conventionally laser-sintered thermoplastic elastomer (Somos 201) increased from 136 ± 28 per cent and 4.9 ± 0.4 MPa, to 513 ± 35 per cent and 10.4 ± 0.4 MPa, respectively, when each layer was fused with in-process application of pressure (126 ± 9 kPa) by SLP. Research limitations/implications – These results are based on relatively small sample size, but despite this, the trends observed are of significant importance to the elimination of voids and porosity in polymeric parts. Practical implications – Layerwise application of pressure should be investigated further for defect elimination in AM. Originality/value – This is the first study on the effects of layerwise application of pressure in combination with area-wide fusing.

The authors acknowledge the significant support provided by researchers from the Materials Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester (Dr Harris, Robert C., Dr Juma, Jamil ‎ and particularly Karl S. Ryder, Professor of Physical Chemistry). The affiliation of co-author A.A.Al-Barzinjy at time of submission of the article and duration of the experimental work, was the Materials Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester. The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link. This three-level three-factor full factorial study describes the effects of electropolishing using deep eutectic solvents on the surface roughness of re-melted 316L stainless steel samples produced by the selective laser melting (SLM) powder bed fusion additive manufacturing method. An improvement in the surface finish of re-melted stainless steel 316L parts was achieved by optimizing the processing parameters for a relatively environmentally friendly electropolishing process using a Choline Chloride ionic electrolyte. The results show that further improvement of the response value-average surface roughness (Ra) can be obtained by electropolishing after re-melting to yield a 75% improvement compared to the as-built Ra. The best Ra value was less than 0.5 lm, obtained with a potential of 4 V, maintained for 30 min at 40 C. Electropolishing has been shown to be effective at removing the residual oxide film formed during the remelting process. The material dissolution during the process is not homogenous and is directed preferentially toward the iron and nickel, leaving the surface rich in chromium with potentially enhanced properties. The re-melted and polished surface of the samples gave an approximately 20% improvement in fatigue life at low stresses (approximately 570 MPa). The results of the study demonstrate that a combination of re-melting and electropolishing provides a flexible method for surface texture improvement which is capable of delivering a significant improvement in surface finish while holding the dimensional accuracy of parts within an acceptable range.

In this work, the effects of re-melting parameters for postprocessing the surface texture of Additively Manufactured parts using a statistical approach are investigated. This paper focuses on improving the final surface texture of stainless steel (316L) parts, built using a Renishaw SLM 125 machine. This machine employs a fiber laser to fuse fine powder on a layer-by-layer basis to generate three-dimensional parts. The samples were produced using varying angles of inclination in order to generate range of surface roughness between 8 and 20 µm. Laser re-melting (LR) as post-processing was performed in order to investigate surface roughness through optimization of parameters. The re-melting process was carried out using a custom-made hybrid laser re-cladding machine, which uses a 200 W fiber laser. Optimized processing parameters were based on statistical analysis within a Design of Experiment framework, from which a model was then constructed. The results indicate that the best obtainable final surface roughness is about 1.4 µm ± 10%. This figure was obtained when laser power of about 180 W was used, to give energy density between 2200 and 2700 J/cm2 for the re-melting process. Overall, the obtained results indicate LR as a post-build process has the capacity to improve surface finishing of SLM components up to 80%, compared with the initial manufactured surface.

The subject of this paper is the assessment of the thermal and mechanical properties of Invar steel coatings, deposited using electric arc spraying, and the correlation of these properties to the spray parameters and processes used to offer coatings with characteristics appropriate to the requirements of tools used in the fabrication of precision polymer matrix composite work pieces. In particular, two processing methods, inert and air atomization, and three arc spray gun configurations (air cap design) were evaluated. The low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) properties of Invar are maintained in the spray-deposited coatings using both high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and air-atomized arc spraying, although HVOF coatings have significantly lower CTE and greater durability than those deposited by arc spraying. The mechanical properties of the coatings are low compared to bulk Invar, regardless of the spray parameters and hardware used. Inert arc spraying affords more consistent coating characteristics but this comes with a compromised durability. The spray hardware was found to be more significant in determining the coating properties than the parameters employed.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ascertain the stab resistance characteristics of a series of planar and articulated laser sintered (LS) samples, in accordance with the United Kingdom Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) Body Armour Standard – Publication 39/07.Design/methodology/approachA series of LS planar samples were manufactured using an EOS P100 Formiga system, manufactured from 100 per cent virgin or a 50:50 mix of recycled and virgin Nylon (PA2200), ranging in thickness from 1‐10 mm. All planar samples were stab tested to the HOSDB knife‐resistance (KR) level one impact energy of 24 Joules, using an in‐house manufactured HOSDB guided rail drop test impact rig and standardised knives. Penetration through the underside of each sample was measured and recorded. These results were then used to develop an articulated, additive manufactured (AM) scale textile – LS from a 50:50 mix of recycled and virgin PA2200 powder. These samples were then tested using the aforementioned impact rig and stab impact energy.FindingsThe research demonstrated that while virgin PA2200 sample required a minimum thickness of 8 mm to achieve stab‐resistance below the HOSDB maximum penetration limit of 7 mm, this figure can be reduced to 5.6 mm when manufacturing LS planar samples from a 50:50 mix of virgin and recycled PA2200. Results from stab testing the articulated samples indicated a successful AM textile‐like design, with a maximum knife penetration of 1.6 mm – below the 7 mm HOSDB limit.Originality/valueThe paper describes a unique application of AM technologies for the manufacture of high‐performance stab resistant AM textiles.

A quantitative understanding of the bone remodeling process is of considerable biomedical and practical biotechnological interest to support the application of layer manufacturing techniques to produce scaffolds for surgical applications. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts play a principal role in different models of the bone multicellular unit operating in bone and display a rich spectrum of behaviour. The goal of this work is to show that it is possible to capture the cyclic dynamics of operating cells. The central idea of the mathematical model is that the regulatory nature of osteocytes is the basis of the cyclic-like behaviour associated with the system (remodeling process)as a whole. We developed this model taking due account of the apoptosis of osteocytes as a possible regulation loop in bone remodeling control. By applying the ordinary differential equations technique to the model, we show cyclic modes over a wide range of constants that have clear biological relevance. Simulations show that for a particular range of constants the model exhibits a torus-like quasi-steady state. Further investigation into these simulations indicates the existence of a surface in the osteoclasts-osteoblasts-osteocytes-bone space, that could be interpreted as a conservative value confirming the substrate-energy regenerative capability of the bone remodeling system. It is suggested that the nature of this recovering potential is directed against both mechanical and biochemical damage to the bone.

A diverse range of Rapid Prototyping, or layer manufacturing techniques have evolved since the introduction of the firstprocess in the late 1980's. Many, although not all, rapid prototyping processes rely on lasers to provide a localised andcontrollable source of light for curing a liquid photopolymer or heat to fuse thermoplastic powders to form objects. This

This work was performed within IMI Spray Mould, an EPSRC joint funded programme, aimed at developing a manufacturing route for large aerospace composite forming tooling, based on metal spray technologies. Assesses the mechanical properties of Invar steel coatings, deposited using electric arc spraying, and correlates these properties to the spray parameters and processes used so as to offer coatings with characteristics appropriate to the tooling requirements. In particular, two processing methods, inert and air atomisation, and three arc spray gun configurations (air cap design) are evaluated. The mechanical properties of the coatings are found to be low compared to bulk Invar, regardless of the spray parameters and hardware used. Inert arc spraying affords more consistent coating characteristics but this comes with a compromised durability. The spray hardware is found to be more significant in determining the coating properties than the parameters employed.