Near-surface microstructures convolute mechanical properties in additively manufactured metals

Kovar specimens were additively manufactured with 180 variations in process conditions. Three distinct geometries (two tensile geometries and a Charpy specimen) were evaluated for each set of process conditions. Tensile specimens additively manufactured to net shape had less porosity, more uniform material properties, higher average ductility, and they consistently failed via ductile rupture. Tensile specimens harvested via electric discharge machining from larger additively manufactured blocks often contained lack of fusion voids throughout the cross section - those pre-existing pores drove pre-mature failure. As-printed specimens, on the other hand, were more representative of the outer border properties rather than the interior of large printed parts. The properties of the specimens cut from the larger block of additively manufactured material were more representative of the inner hatch properties but were stochastic, depending on the size and location of present voids. Using a high-throughput methodology, the results from over 800 tensile tests are reported here. This extensive statistical sampling allows the effects of specimen type and location to be clearly distinguished from other intentional variables (process parameter variations) and stochastic material variability.