In-envelope hybrid manufacturing systems comprised of directed energy deposition (DED) and machining provide flexibility for the fabrication of complex geometries with minimal setup changes. However, for these manufacturing set ups, the effects of deposition parameters such as laser power and scanning speed on the quality of the build remain relatively unexplored. An important aspect for developing components with reliable mechanical properties is a thorough understanding of DED thermodynamics during fabrication. Therefore, DED thermodynamics were defined based on the strengthening properties derived from the thermal gradient (G) and solidification rate (R) of the melt pool. Other factors influencing DED thermodynamics include substrate geometry and surface finish which are expected to affect cooling rates and adhesion, respectively. In this work, stainless steel 316L specimens were fabricated varying laser power intensity, scanning speed, and deposition substrate. The effect of these parameters on the microstructure of the sample components were analyzed. Microstructural evolution at various points within and between layers was studied and correlated to localized hardness. An increase in mechanical properties for fine, equiaxed grains demonstrates the Hall-Petch principle for strengthening of components.

The purpose of this work is to incorporate boriding and austempering treatments in a single thermal cycle and assess its effect on two high strength bainitic steels. The combined process, called boro-austempering, is a promising alternative to increase the surface wear resistance of advanced high strength steels as shown in the test results presented.

The use of nitriding to improve a component’s resistance to wear, fatigue, and corrosion continues to increase across the industry. However, for nitrided components, no universally accepted definition of “case depth” is available to allow the comparison of different nitriding processes, cycles, and materials. This study documents currently published methods of specifying and determining case depth for nitrided components, and evaluates the reported case depth of multiple materials and cycles in an effort to determine an optimal and robust “universal” method of reporting case depth. After completing this exercise, it appears that the optimal “universal” method of specifying and reporting the case depth for a nitrided component is to report the depth at which a Vickers microhardness traverse crosses a threshold which is 50HV greater than the material hardness below the nitrided case.

In the present study unalloyed spheroidal graphite iron was compared with a sample alloyed with copper and nickel (Cu- Ni). Samples of those materials were treated in salt bath (a composite of sodium borate, aluminum, iron-niobium and/or iron-vanadium) at 1000 °C for 2 hours. This resulted in layers of niobium carbide (NbC), vanadium carbide (VC) and ternary carbide of niobium and vanadium (NbVC2). Characterization of these layers was obtained by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and microhardness Vickers. The microhardness and the thickness results were statistically analyzed by the two factors variance analysis method. The efficiency of the layered surface in increasing corrosion resistance was demonstrated by submitting it to potentiodynamic polarization corrosion tests.