Alloys-by-design: application to new superalloys for additive manufacturing

In this investigation, researchers from the Department of Materials University of Oxford and OxMet Technologies designed new grades of γ/γ′ nickel-based superalloy for the additiive manufacturing process by utilising computational approaches.

After taking account of the requirement to avoid defect formation via solidification and solid-state cracking, the processing trials were carried out using powder-based selective laser melting, which were compared with the heritage alloys IN939 and CM247LC.

Microstructural characterisation, calorimetry and hot tensile testing were used to assess the approach employed.  The superior processability and mechanical behaviour of the new alloys are demonstrated in this paper published in Acta Materialia, which includes suggestions for refinements to the modelling approach.