Additive Materials for High Temperature Applications

The processing of high temperature metals such as nickel-base superalloys, refractory metals, and titanium aluminides via additive manufacturing (AM) modalities has grown in importance with the maturing of the associated processing science. Advantages of AM over conventional manufacturing techniques for high temperature metals are presented in the creation of complex geometries not previously achievable and economics of low volume components. However, the processing of high temperature metals through AM modalities are fraught with similar challenges faced in both their conventional processing and those seen in welding of the materials. Despite these processing challenges, desirable structure property relationships have been achieved to demonstrate the importance in developing the processing science of high temperature metals further. Additionally, the added benefit of site-specific microstructure control through AM process control have shown to be potentially disruptive for future applications of components manufactured through AM.