Konrad Gruber

Bio: Konrad Gruber is an academic researcher from Wrocław University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Inconel & Materials science. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 13 publications receiving 582 citations.

Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 processed by selective laser melting

Abstract: The microstructural and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 were determined on the specimens manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) of prealloyed powder. High- density (99.8%) cylindrical specimens were built with four orientations (0°, 45°, 45°×45° and 90°) in relation to the building and scanning directions. Because of directional, dendritic-cellular grain growth, microstructure of the as-built specimens was characterized by columnar grains of supersaturated solid solution with internal microsegregation of Nb and Mo, demonstrated by fractions of Laves eutectic or its divorced form in interdendritic regions. Such a heterogeneous microstructure is unsuitable for direct post-process aging and makes the alloy sensitive to subsolidus liquation during rapid heating to the homogenizing temperature. In homogenized and aged condition, the alloy received a very good set of mechanical properties in comparison with the wrought material. In heat-treated condition, like in as-built condition, weak anisotropy of properties was found, manifested by lower Young's modulus, yield strength and tensile strength of the specimens extended along the build direction in comparison to the values for the other variants of the specimens. This is attributed to the fact that the grains maintained their geometric and crystallographic texture obtained during solidification.

Correlation between process parameters, microstructure and properties of 316 L stainless steel processed by selective laser melting

Abstract: High-density 316 L specimens were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM). Different processing parameters, including laser power (100, 200 W) and scanning strategies (alternating stripes without and with re-melting after every layer) were employed to evaluate their impact on microstructure and texture of the specimens. Microstructures of the specimens in as-built condition were characterised by columnar grains of austenite with intercellular segregation of Mo, Cr and Si, resulting in creation of non-equilibrium eutectic ferrite. It was found that laser energy density and scanning strategy strongly affect cellular substructure of austenite and amount of ferrite, as well as kind and degree of texture. Specific microstructure of austenite in as-built condition is the cause of almost double increase of yield strength accompanied by much smaller improvement of ultimate tensile strength and 1.4 times reduction of elongation at fracture in comparison of properties of hot-rolled SS316L sheet. Moreover, features of this substructure determine kind of the changes occurring during stress relieving at 800 °C for 5 h (among others, precipitation of sigma-phase strongly activated by presence of ferrite and residual stresses), demonstrated by decreased yield strength value with no significant changes of ultimate tensile strength and elongation. At the same time, an attempt was made to explain some unclearly interpreted observations in the literature related to a correlation between process parameters, microstructure and properties of SLM-processed steel 316 L.

Laser powder bed fusion of AA7075 alloy: Influence of process parameters on porosity and hot cracking

Abstract: Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an attractive technology of manufacturing high-strength aluminium alloy parts for the aircraft and automobile industries, limited by poor processability of these alloys. This work was aimed at finding the process window for the LPBF manufacturing of defect-free components of AA7075 alloy. Optimization of the parameters was performed at each stage of the multi-stage research, i.e. for single tracks, thin walls and volumetric specimens. At each stage, the relation between LPBF parameters and defect formation with a focus on hot cracking was investigated and discussed. Due to the optimization of process parameters, the density of volumetric specimens above 99 % was reached and vaporization losses of the alloying elements were significantly reduced, but solidification cracks could not be eliminated. It was found that solidification cracks were formed by the liquid film rupture mode, mainly along columnar grain boundaries. The EDS microanalysis showed intergranular microsegregation, not only of the main alloying elements (Zn, Mg, Cu) but also of minor elements such as Si. Silicon may play a significant role in increasing susceptibility to cracking by increasing the stability of the liquid film. Reduction in the silicon impurity content in the AA7075 powder gives a chance to reduce susceptibility to cracking with no change of the alloy specification.

Effect of Scanning and Support Strategies on Relative Density of SLM-ed H13 Steel in Relation to Specimen Size

Abstract: Standard experimental research works are aimed at optimization of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) parameters in order to produce material with relative density over 99% and possibly the highest scanning speed. Typically, cuboidal specimens with arbitrarily selected dimensions are built. An optimum set of parameters, determined on such specimens, is used for building parts with variable cross-section areas. However, it gives no guarantee that the density of variable-section parts produced with so selected parameters will be as high as that of the specimens measured during the parameters optimization process. The goal of this work was to improve the process of SLM parameter selection according to the criterion of maximum relative density, based on the example of AISI H13 tool steel (1.2344). A selection method of scanning strategy ensuring relative density of parts over 99%, irrespective of their dimensions, was determined. The specimens were produced using several variants of support structures. It was found that proper selection of the support strategy prevents development of columnar pores.

Microstructure and hardness studies of Inconel 718 manufactured by selective laser melting before and after solution heat treatment

Abstract: The microstructure of Additive Manufactured (AM) Inconel 718 in general and Selective Laser Melting (SLM), in particular is different from the material produced by conventional methods due to the rapid solidification process associated with the former. As a result, the widely adapted standard solution heat treatment temperature (

Overview on Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Abstract: This paper provides an overview on the main additive manufacturing/3D printing technologies suitable for many satellite applications and, in particular, radio-frequency components. In fact, nowadays they have become capable of producing complex net-shaped or nearly net-shaped parts in materials that can be directly used as functional parts, including polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites. These technologies represent the solution for low-volume, high-value, and highly complex parts and products.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 produced by selective laser melting: Sample orientation dependence and effects of post heat treatments

Abstract: Inconel 718 produced by selective laser melting (SLM) has been characterized with focus on the microstructure, the dependence of sample orientation on the mechanical properties and the effects of post heat treatments. The as-manufactured IN718 has a very fine cellular-dendritic structure with fine Laves phases precipitating in the interdendritic region, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis shows that both the vertically and horizontally built samples have relatively weak texture. The vertically built samples show lower tensile strength but higher ductility than the horizontally built samples, and the mechanism is shown to be partly due to the crystallographic feature but more importantly due to the different amount of residual stress and dislocations accumulated in these two kinds of samples. Applying heat treatments can significantly increase the strength while decrease the ductility correspondingly, and difference in yield strength between the vertically and horizontally built samples decreases with increasing the heat treatment temperatures, mainly due to the removal of residual stress and dislocations.