Additive manufacturing (AM) has gained relevance in recent decades as an alternative method to manufacture metal parts. Among the additive technologies, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), a welding-based AM technology, is an active field of research.

Because it enables economical production of large-scale metal components with relatively high deposition rates. This article compares the effect of heat input on mechanical properties of wire arc additive manufactured austenitic ER308L stainless steel cylindrical components fabricated by Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Cold Metal Transferred (CMT) arc welding processes.

Firstly, to measure the temperature of the substrate, thermocouples were attached to the surface of the substrate, 5 mm away from the weld pool. The temperature was recorded by a data acquisition system at a frequency of 50 Hz.

Subsequently, the effect of heat input on the tensile properties (longitudinal, transverse and diagonal directions) and hardness of the cylindrical components were analysed along the building direction.

The cylindrical component made by CMT process showed higher tensile properties than GMAW component. Similarly, CMT component exhibited higher hardness than GMAW cylindrical component.

The variations in mechanical properties are mainly due to the appreciable variations that have occurred in the microstructural features evolved at different heat input levels.

This article is shared by B.Prasanna Nagasai , S.Malarvizhi and V.Balasubramanian of Centre for Material Joining and Research (CEMAJOR), Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University