X-ray Computed Tomography Inspection and Evaluation of Novel Wire Arc Additively Manufactured Maraging Steel Materials
Abstract
The X-ray computed tomography (XCT) technique is a widely applicable and powerful nondestructive inspection modality for evaluation and analysis of geometrical and physical characteristics of materials, especially internal structures and features. XCT is applicable to metals, ceramics, plastics, and polymer and mixed composites, as well as components, assemblies, and materiel. The Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) of the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory has identified additive manufacturing (AM) of certain materials and components as an essential research area. Metals AM with an emphasis on high-strength steel alloys, among other areas like titanium alloys, is an applied R and D area of the Sciences of Extreme Materials Division (SEMD) in WMRD. SEMD is currently investigating the use of wire arc AM methods for producing steel specimens to determine their overall quality given initial processing conditions. Given that steel is much more attenuating than many other materials and some metals, it can be difficult to get good XCT scan results depending on the objects overall dimensions. XCT scanning parameters and overall protocols used to mitigate very-low-intensity throughput and achieve acceptable scan image results are discussed. XCT image results, including 2-D internal slices at select locations and 3-D sectioned visualizations, are also shown and discussed. In addition, the physical nature of the types of features found in the steel materials and their possible relationship to processing methodology are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1145075
Entities
People
- Aaron Birt
- Victor K. Champagne
- William H. Green
Organizations
- United States Army