The fabrication of high-value added Inconel 718 superalloy parts by wire-arc additive manufacturing process

The wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is one of the advanced manufacturing processes to fabricate full-density three-dimensional (3D) Inconel 718 (IN718) metal parts in an open freeform environment. Thus, there is no size restrictions of the fabricated parts using this process which is suitable for industry-led medium to large production supply chain. So far, the use of WAAM process in the fabrication of IN718 parts is solely focused on the effects of standard heat-treatments on the evolution of microstructural constituents and mechanical properties. Therefore, the present study is attempted to systemically investigate the effects of welding parameters, heat-treatment, high-oxidation temperatures and hot-deformation characteristics on the processing-microstructure-property relationship of IN718 alloys manufactured via Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)-based WAAM process. A wrought IN718 alloy was also studied for comparison.