International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, Volume. 3, Issue 1, 12003(2021)

An overview of laser-based multiple metallic material additive manufacturing: from macro- to micro-scales

Chao Wei, Zhizhou Zhang, Dongxu Cheng, Zhe Sun, Menghui Zhu, and Lin Li*
Author Affiliations
  • Laser Processing Research Centre, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
  • show less

    Additive manufacturing (AM) is an emerging customized three-dimensional (3D) functional product fabrication technology. It provides a higher degree of design freedom, reduces manufacturing steps, cost and production cycles. However, existing metallic component 3D printing techniques are mainly for the manufacture of single material components. With the increasing commercial applications of AM technologies, the need for 3D printing of more than one type of dissimilar materials in a single component increases. Therefore, investigations on multi-material AM (MMAM) emerge over the past decade. Lasers are currently widely used for the AM of metallic components where high temperatures are involved. Here we report the progress and trend in laser-based macro- and micro-scale AM of multiple metallic components. The methods covered in this paper include laser powder bed fusion, laser powder directed energy deposition, and laser-induced forward transfer for MMAM applications. The principles and process/material characteristics are described. Potential applications and challenges are discussed. Finally, future research directions and prospects are proposed.

    Tools

    Get Citation

    Copy Citation Text

    Chao Wei, Zhizhou Zhang, Dongxu Cheng, Zhe Sun, Menghui Zhu, Lin Li. An overview of laser-based multiple metallic material additive manufacturing: from macro- to micro-scales[J]. International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, 2021, 3(1): 12003

    Download Citation

    EndNote(RIS)BibTexPlain Text
    Save article for my favorites
    Paper Information

    Category: Topical Review

    Received: Aug. 15, 2020

    Accepted: --

    Published Online: Sep. 3, 2021

    The Author Email: Li Lin (lin.li@manchester.ac.uk)

    DOI:10.1088/2631-7990/abce04

    Topics