Laser and Arc Additive Manufacturing of Structural Metal Alloys
This community develops methods for building metal parts layer-by-layer using laser and arc energy, focusing on how the rapid melting and solidification process affects the internal structure and mechanical performance of alloys like titanium, aluminum, and steel.
The work centers on laser powder bed fusion, wire arc additive manufacturing, and laser cladding. Researchers investigate the microstructural evolution and deformation behavior of materials including Ti-6Al-4V, 316L stainless steel, Inconel 718, and various aluminum alloys. A significant portion of the literature examines heat treatment protocols to optimize fatigue resistance and corrosion properties, alongside finite element modeling of energy deposition and melt pool dynamics. The applications span aerospace components, automotive lightweighting, and structural engineering, where the goal is to achieve specific mechanical properties through precise control of the fabrication process.
The largest share of the community's output is found in aluminium research, accounting for 7.6% of all tracked aluminium papers, and titanium research, representing 5.4% of all tracked titanium papers. In terms of absolute volume, titanium contributes the highest number of papers within this group, with 16,807 entries, followed by aluminium with 11,454 entries.
The community comprises 78,941 papers, publishing primarily in Materials Science and Engineering: A, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, and Journal of Materials Research and Technology. Recent work includes the fabrication of single-crystal-like nickel superalloys via laser powder bed fusion, the development of precipitation-hardened austenitic stainless steels for high-temperature water resistance, and the production of additively manufactured metallic lattice structures for multifunctional applications.