Applications of alloy design to cracking resistance of additively manufactured Ni-based alloys

Utilisation of additive manufacturing (AM) for the fabrication of Ni-based alloys has seen a massive uptake in both academic and commercial institutions. However, processing of traditional Ni-based superalloys through AM has encountered numerous cracking issues. The primary forms of cracking include solidification, solid-state and liquation mechanisms. Many of these forms of cracking are influenced by the compositions, with certain Ni-based systems showing impressive resistance. The design of novel alloys systems specifically tuned for processing through AM might be necessary to realise the potential of these techniques. Recently, researchers have taken advantage of improved computational alloy design frameworks. These frameworks utilise methods such as neural networks to analyse massive volumes of data and predict compositions that might satisfy specific design criteria.

Automated summary

The use of additive manufacturing for Ni-based alloys has become popular in academic and commercial institutions. However, traditional Ni-based superalloys processed through AM often experience cracking issues due to various mechanisms. The compositions of these alloys play a critical role in determining cracking behavior, with certain systems exhibiting better resistance. To fully exploit the potential of AM, it may be necessary to design novel alloy systems specifically tailored for this process. Recent advancements in computational alloy design frameworks, such as neural networks, have enabled researchers to analyze vast amounts of data and predict compositions that meet specific design criteria.