Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of the Bimetallic Wire Arc Additively Manufactured Structure (BAMS) of SS304L and SS308L Fabricated by Hybrid Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing of various components with stainless steel is significant and demanding for several industrial sectors. The components of SS with high performance and production must include the hot forging and precision machining to obtain the required shape. 3Dprinting/additive manufacturing can fulfill the fabrication of near-net-shape components. However, for large-scale parts, the processing time and cost are higher. Thus, the combination of forging operations and additive manufacturing leads to many advantages by formatting a hybrid-manufacturing route. The present investigation combined bimetallic parts of hot forged SS304L and wire arc additive manufacturing deposits of SS308L. To obtain the excellent mechanical properties in the interface and deposited wall, two different modes of pulse and spray MIG-based WAAM were used for deposition. The microstructures of forged and deposited components were similar to the conventional processing of SS with improved mechanical properties. The component features shaped by WAAM on forged preforms were revealed to attain the required mechanical properties by hybrid-manufacturing technologies. Based on the microstructural and mechanical properties, hybrid-manufacturing technology gave a good result with the pulse mode of deposition. The hybrid-manufacturing technology of forging and AM can enhance material properties and increase flexibility for the fabrication of components than forging techniques.

Automated summary

The manufacturing of stainless steel components is important and challenging for various industrial sectors. Hot forging and precision machining are necessary for producing high-performance and high-production stainless steel components. While 3D printing/additive manufacturing can create near-net-shape components, it is time-consuming and costly for large-scale parts. Therefore, combining forging operations and additive manufacturing offers many advantages by creating a hybrid-manufacturing route. This study combined hot forged SS304L with wire arc additive manufacturing deposits of SS308L to create bimetallic parts. By using different modes of pulse and spray MIG-based WAAM for deposition, excellent mechanical properties were achieved in the interface and deposited wall. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the forged and deposited components were similar to those of conventionally processed stainless steel, indicating that hybrid-manufacturing technologies can achieve the required mechanical properties. Based on the microstructural and mechanical properties, the pulse deposition mode showed good results in the hybrid-manufacturing technology. The combination of forging and additive manufacturing can enhance material properties and increase flexibility for fabricating components compared to traditional forging techniques.