Influence of the interlayer temperature on structure and properties of CMT wire arc additive manufactured NiTi structures

A potential method for producing intricate Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) structures for uses like actuators and vibration dampers is wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). However, excessive heat build-up during the multi-layer deposition procedure in WAAM can result in process instability and departures from the intended mechanical qualities and dimensions. To address these problems, the interlayer temperature was optimized for printing on NiTi walls in this work. Without interlayer temperature control (WITC), 200 degrees C, and 400 degrees C were used to create three samples in order to study the impacts on the porosity level, morphology, and mechanical characteristics of the NiTi walls generated by WAAM. The Shape memory behavior of the manufactured NiTi walls was further examined through shape recovery investigations utilizing hot plate actuation. The findings demonstrated that regulating the interlayer temperature below 300 degrees C, preferably at 200 degrees C, enhanced the mechanical characteristics, decreased the porosity content, and enhanced the microstructure of the NiTi walls. The development and improvement of WAAM techniques for the manufacture of premium NiTi SMA components can benefit greatly from these findings.

Automated summary

To address the issues of excessive heat build-up and process instability in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), the researchers optimized the interlayer temperature of NiTi walls and conducted related tests. The results showed that regulating the interlayer temperature below 300 degrees C, preferably at 200 degrees C, improved the mechanical characteristics, reduced porosity content, and enhanced the microstructure of the NiTi walls. This research is of great significance for the development and improvement of WAAM techniques for manufacturing high-quality NiTi SMA components.