Abstract

Laser additive manufacturing for high performance large aerospace structural components of difficult to process metallic materials like titanium alloys based on layer-wise rapid solidification powder deposition has many advantages over traditional forging, casting and powder-metallurgy processes. However, applications of the revolutionary near-net-shaping technology have been limited to small components for the past decades. In this presentation, R&D progresses on processing, microstructure control and mechanical properties optimization and of laser deposition near-net-shaping of large metallic structures such as titanium airframes and super-high strength steels landing-gears having mechanical properties equivalent and/or better than forged counterparts have been reported. The challenging issues such as the metallurgical kinetics, evolution behaviors of internal stresses, control of rapid solidification microstructures and internal defects during laser melting deposition were reviewed.

© 2012 Optical Society of America