Thermal expansion coefficients in Invar processed by selective laser melting

Abstract

This work investigates whether the unique low thermal expansion property of Invar (64Fe–36Ni) is retained after processing using the additive manufacturing process selective laser melting (SLM). Using this process, near-full-density components (99.96%) were formed by melting thin (20 μm) layers of powdered Invar (15–45 μm particle size). The mechanical properties of SLM Invar were comparable to that of cold-drawn Invar36^®; however, the thermal coefficient of expansion was observed to be a lower value and negative up until 100 °C. This negative value was attributed to residual stress in the as-deposited parts. The low thermal expansion property of Invar was still maintained when processed using a non-conventional layer-based additive manufacturing technique.

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