Laser-Directed Energy Deposition : Influence of Process Parameters and Heat-Treatments

Abstract: Laser-Directed Energy Deposition (L-DED), an Additive Manufacturing (AM) processused for the fabrication of parts in a layer-wise approach has displayed an immense potential over the last decade. The aerospace industry stands as the primary beneficiary due to the L-DED process capability to build near-net-shape components with minimal tooling and thereby producing minimum wastage because of reduced machining. The widespread use of Alloy 718 in the aero-engine application has prompted huge research interest in the development of L-DED processing of this superalloy. AM processes are hindered by low build rates and high cycle times which directly affects the process costs. To overcome these issues, the present work focusses on obtaining high deposition rates through a high material feed. Studying the influence of process parameters during the L-DED process is of prime importance as they determine the performance of in-service structures. In the present work, process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, feed rate and stand-offdistances are varied and their influence on geometry and microstructure of Alloy 718 single-track deposits are analyzed. The geometry of deposits is measured in terms of height, width and depth; and the powder capture efficiency is determined by measuring areas of deposition and dilution. The microstructure of the deposits shows a column ardendritic structure in the middle and bottom region of the deposits and equiaxed grains in the top region. Nb-rich segregation involving laves and NbC phases, typical of Alloy718 is found in the interdendritic regions and grain boundaries. The segregation increases along the height of the deposit with the bottom region having the least and the top region showing the highest concentration of Nb-rich phases due to the variation in cooling rates. A high laser power (1600 W – 2000 W) and a high scanning speed (1100 mm/min) are found to be the preferable processing conditions for minimizing segregation. Another approach to minimize segregation is by performing post-build heat treatments. The solution treatment (954 °C/1 hr) and double aging (718 °C/8 hr + 621 °C/ 8 hr) standardized for the wrought form of Alloy 718 is applied to as-built deposits which showed a reduction in segregation due to the dissolution of Nb-rich phases. Upon solution treatment, this reduction is accompanied by precipitation of the delta phase, found predominantly in top and bottom regions and sparsely in the middle region of the deposit.