Wire arc additive manufacturing: materials, processes and its constraints
Santosh Kumar Mishra, Shanmuga Vadivu K R, S Silva Sajin Jose, Ram Krishna Upadhyay
Abstract
Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) utilizes an arc-welding process to produce three-dimensional metallic components. It can produce larger metallic parts with comparatively large deposition rates and less cost. Hence, significant progress in research was observed recently in the analysis and development of the WAAM process, extension of its applications to a vast range of materials as well as the investigations in mechanical and microstructural characteristics of the manufactured parts. This article discusses the ongoing and future research scopes of WAAM techniques, with specific emphasis on the selection of optimum process conditions, materials review, fabrication challenges associated, and characterization of components along with the analysis of the defects formed during WAAM process. This article also focuses on the advancements in the real-time monitoring and nondestructive testing of WAAM, its advantages, limitations, and applications.