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Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication (EBF3) for Cost Effective Near-Net Shape ManufacturingManufacturing of structural metal parts directly from computer aided design (CAD) data has been investigated by numerous researchers over the past decade. Researchers at NASA Langley Research Center are developing a new solid freeform fabrication process, electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF3), as a rapid metal deposition process that works efficiently with a variety of weldable alloys. EBF3 deposits of 2219 aluminium and Ti-6Al-4V have exhibited a range of grain morphologies depending upon the deposition parameters. These materials have exhibited excellent tensile properties comparable to typical handbook data for wrought plate product after post-processing heat treatments. The EBF3 process is capable of bulk metal deposition at deposition rates in excess of 2500 cubic centimeters per hour (150 in3/hr) or finer detail at lower deposition rates, depending upon the desired application. This process offers the potential for rapidly adding structural details to simpler cast or forged structures rather than the conventional approach of machining large volumes of chips to produce a monolithic metallic structure. Selective addition of metal onto simpler blanks of material can have a significant effect on lead time reduction and lower material and machining costs.
Document ID
20060009152
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Taminger, Karen M.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Hafley, Robert A.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 2006
Subject Category
Metals And Metallic Materials
Report/Patent Number
L-19241
NASA/TM-2006-214284
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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