In the current paper, the correlation between the physical size of additively built wire arc specimens and their structure and properties is studied. For the purpose of this work, two oval shaped specimens of different lengths were manufactured under the same technological conditions. The specimens have a length of 200 mm and 400 mm and will be referred to as L200 and L400. The microstructure of the samples was studied using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microhardness, yield strength (YS), and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) were determined and their correlation with the technological conditions of specimen build-up was clarified. The results of the carried out experiments indicated that the crystallographic structure of both specimens is similar. The scanning electron microscopy images show a higher concentration of irregularly shaped micro-pores formed near the edge of the αAl grains in the structure of the L400 specimen compared to the L200 one. An increase in the size of the αAl solid solution grains in the case of the L200 specimen towards its top section was noticed using optical microscopy. A slightly lower magnitude change was noticed concerning the L400 specimen. The increase in the size of the aluminum crystals was determined to be the increasing interpass temperature. Due to the much smaller thermal dissipation capacity of the smaller specimen, the interpass temperature of the same increased faster compared to the larger specimen. All of the above-mentioned factors led to a decrease in the microhardness of the specimens at higher stages of build-up. Since the specimens were deposited using similar layer deposition conditions, the resultant YS and UTS data are also highly comparable.

For the purpose of this research, single track details were manufactured in the shape of thin walls with a length of 100 mm and a height of 80 mm. Two welding speeds were chosen for this experiment–13.3 mm/s and 20.0 mm/s corresponding to the following heat inputs: 120 J/mm and 80 J/mm. The gas metal arc welding (GMAW) method was used for the build-up of the specimens in the cold arc pulse mode. The structure of the specimens was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis carried out with CuKα radiation with a wavelength of 1.5406 Ǻ, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Furthermore, the Vickers hardness of the samples was determined using a ZwickRoell DuraScan 10/20 G5 unit at a force of 1 N. A preferred crystallographic orientation towards the (200) plane was observed in all cases, however a vastly textured structure was observed with inclusions of peaks in the (111), (220), and (311) crystallographic planes. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of samples taken from different stages of build-up was calculated indicating an increase of the dislocation density at the more advanced stages of specimen growth. Despite that an increase of the hardness was observed towards the top of both specimens. This is attributed to the change in the structure of the αAl + Si formations from an irregular one at the bottom of the specimens, towards a fibrous one at the top. The results are discussed in regard to the optimization of the build-up process during wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM).

Due to the recent developments of hardware components and the hereby resulting ability to increase process parameters, the application area of the cold gas spray technology is expanding quickly. The present research focuses on the influence of working gas pressure and working gas temperature on the adhesive strength of inner diameter coatings, which were produced with two different alloy steel powder variants. Gas pressure and gas temperature were varied in four different parameter sets. At first, the powder variants were examined for morphology and particle size distribution. Secondly, the influence of four different process parameters on the achievable particle velocity was measured. In addition, the arithmetical mean height (Sa) of the coating was measured in order to determine the effect of the four parameter sets on the achievable surface roughness. Furthermore, the impact of the process parameters on the steel particles’ penetration depth into the aluminum substrate was examined. Finally, adhesion strength measurements of the inner diameter coatings were carried out. The results reveal that with rising process parameters, the particle velocity increases, and the achievable surface roughness is lowered. It was also shown that the penetration depth of the particles into the substrate increases with increasing particle velocity. In addition, this study demonstrated a dependence of the process parameters on the adhesion strength for inner diameter coatings.

The mass production of metallic components requires high agility in the working process conditioned by the necessity of building details of different shapes and sizes. Changing the size of the components theoretically influences the thermal dissipation capability of the same, which could lead to a change in their structure and mechanical properties. This is particularly important when aluminum alloys are concerned. For this reason, two Al5356 single-track specimens were built using the same technological conditions of layer deposition by varying only their geometrical size. In all cases, the specimens were wire and arc additively manufactured (WAAM) using a process based on gas metal arc welding (GMAW) in the cold arc pulse mode (CAP). The structure of both specimens was studied and defects along their surfaces were detected in the form of micro-pores and micro-cracks. A high concentration of undissolved Mg particles was also detected, along with some standalone Si particles. Uniformity in the build-up process was achieved, which led to the formation of nearly identical structures in the specimens. Subsequently, the resultant mechanical properties were also highly comparable. This indicates that the geometry-related variation in thermal conditions has an insignificant influence on the component’s structure and properties.

Structured sheet metals with regular bumps offer higher bending stiffness compared to flat sheet metals. The application of structured sheet metals requires new investigations regarding their strength and deformation behaviour. Standardised testing methods like the tensile test considering defined specimen geometry and measuring methods exist. Those methods, however, have been developed for plain sheets and cannot be directly transferred to structured sheet metals. The assessment of the strength and deformation behaviour of structured sheet metals needs adapted specimen geometry and measuring methods. In this paper the adaption of the standardised tensile test in accordance with DIN EN ISO 6892-1 to the specific characteristics of structured sheet metals is introduced. In order to determine the appropriate specimen geometry their dimensions were methodically varied and the influence of the structure position on the strength and the deformation behaviour was identified. The analysis of the local strain behaviour was carried out by 3D displacement measurement with the ARAMIS-system. For the derivation of the material properties different analysing methods were developed. The test results were compared to those of flat sheet metals.