Microstructural Investigation of a FeMnAlNi Shape Memory Alloy Processed by Tungsten Inert Gas Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

In the present study, tungsten inert gas wire and arc additive manufacturing was used to process an iron-based FeMnAlNi shape memory alloy. By a layer-by-layer method, a wall structure with a length of 60 mm and a height of 40 mm was generated. Bidirectional welding ensured grain growth parallel to the building direction. To maintain a nearly constant temperature–time path upon cooling, the structure was fully cooled after each weld to room temperature (298 K). With this approach, an anisotropic microstructure with a grain length of up to 8 mm (major axis) could be established. The grain morphology and formed phases were investigated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The images revealed a difference in the orientation with respect to the building direction of the primarily formed γ grains along the grain boundaries and the secondarily formed γ grains in the heat-affected zones. Subgrains in the α matrix were observed also by scanning electron microscopy. With X-ray diffraction, the preferred orientation of the α grains with respect to the building direction was found to be near ⟨100⟩. Overall, an anisotropic polycrystalline material with a columnar texture could be produced, with a preferred grain orientation promising high values of transformation strains.