Work

Micro-mechanical behavior of a single grain with atomic-level variations in composition via additive manufacturing

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Additive manufacturing offers precise control over part geometry and material composition, making it ideal for creating functionally integrated materials (FIMs). A Ni-Al FIM was fabricated using directed energy deposition (DED) to investigate how local composition variations affect microstructure, precipitation, and mechanical behavior. Advanced microscopy characterization revealed a novel grain structure with distinct compositional regions and a composition transition interface. These distinct regions within a single grain led to abrupt changes in the deformation response, as demonstrated through in-situ micropillar compression. These findings underscore the potential of additive manufacturing to engineer material behavior at the microscale, advancing materials design and manufacturing.

Source: Materials Research Letters

DOI: 10.1080/21663831.2024.2448499

Authors: Xin Wang, Jacob Norman, Baolong Zheng, Benjamin MacDonald, Enrique J. Lavernia, Julie M. Schoenung

Institutions: University of Alabama, University of California, Irvine, Texas A&M University

Language: English

Topic: Additive Manufacturing Materials and Processes

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,459

Funder: Army Research Office