In-situ characterization of tungsten microcracking in Selective Laser Melting

Additive Manufacturing is a promising way of processing tungsten, with opportunities to create more complex parts than are possible using other powder metallurgical routes. This may lead to extended applications such as collimators, in fusion reactors, or in other structurally loaded, high temperature environments. The poor thermal shock resistance and ductile-to-brittle transition that occurs in tungsten above room temperature are challenges that hinder production of fully dense and crack free parts. This research employs high speed in-situ monitoring of Selective Laser Melting of single tracks to visualize crack initiation and propagation. The circumstances that lead to cracking are correlated with microstructural morphology and processing conditions.