Page 11 - 3DMP Spring 2022

Tech Update 3D
use in the energy industry for turbines and valves, and also for the aerospace industry.
The first step in developing the AM process for René 80 was processing the alloy, with the powder modified by Ele- mentum 3D using its RAM technology. Upon modification of the alloy’s chemical composition, Beamit Group technicians developed and optimized the laser pow- der-bed fusion process to achieve required density and a crack-free microstructure. And, the company conducted research to identify the most suitable treatment and also to eliminate any cracks in the components.
“René 80 is proving that our one-stop shop strategy succeeds throughout the entire value chain, including when researching and developing new materi- als,” says Andrea Scanavini, Beamit Group general manager. “The tougher the technological challenges, the more that process integration and the innova- tion of post-processing, made available to highly skilled metallurgists, not only make the difference but become the only way forward. René 80 is one of our first demonstrations of this concept.”
The parameters for René 80 RAM1 treated with hot isostatic pressing (HIP- ing) and HIP quenching were character- ized and compared with as-built René 80
Pres-X technicians used this Quintus Technologies HIP system in developing the ideal heat treatment for Beamit’s René 80 RAM1 nickel-based superalloy.
by Pres-X (of which Beamit owns a stake), using Quintus HIP technology. With the optimized HIP-Q cycle, Beamit reportedly recorded significantly improved mechanical properties as compared with the aged condition of René 80 pro- duced with conventional
technologies.
The advantage of the process para-
meterized by Beamit Group lies in the HIP-Q phase, according to company offi- cials, who disclose that the treatment can be performed with Quintus HIP tech- nology and enables HIPing to be fol- lowed by rapid quenching in argon to produce a high-performance material with only a one-step heat treatment. This results in shorter lead times than treat- ments using conventional methods.
High-temperature testing to gauge crack resistance confirmed a yield strength of 750 MPa at 900 C, according to Jacopo Sisti, Beamit Group materials and special processes manager.
“It was a challenge to actually print an alloy that performs so well at high tem- peratures, but we fine-tuned the AM process and succeeded, and we achieved high density,” he says. “The turning point came with the innovative HIP-quenching heat treatment. We avoided the formation of cracks in the material, which meant that we delivered better static mechanical properties than the alloy produced with conventional technologies.”
Beamit Group: www.beam-it.eu Press-X: www.press-x.com Quintus Technologies: www.quintustechnologies.com
New Family of Binder Jetting Printers for Metals, Ceramics and Composites
Derived from the company’s acquisi- tion of ExOne this past fall, Desktop Metal has announced introduction of its X-Series family of binder jetting 3D print- ing machines. The scalable 3D printers, including the InnoventX, X25Pro and X160Pro, produce parts from metals, ceramics, composites and other materials.
The machines feature industrial piezo- electric printheads and patented Triple ACT (Advanced Compaction Technolo- gy), which dispenses, spreads and com- pacts ultra-fine powders with tight parameter controls, according to Desk- top Metal officials. Triple ACT reportedly allows these open-source materials sys- tems to process metals, ceramics and more with high density and repeatability for functional, precision parts and tool- ing in a range of build areas.
With density variation across the build area, dimensional tolerances can be con- trolled within 1-2.5 percent on a first print run. And, when optimized for pro- duction, X-Series systems reportedly achieve dimensional tolerances of less than 1 percent routinely, while maintain- ing post-sintered densities from 97 to more than 99 percent for most metals.
High print-bed density and optimized binder placement all but eliminate binder bleed and overspray, according to company officials, and produce ideal edge definition, surface quality and sur- face finish as low as 4 μm Ra.
Desktop Metal: www.desktopmetal.com
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