Welding-based additive manufacturing processes for fabrication of metallic parts

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is modernizing the manufacturing industry by enabling the layer-by-layer deposition process to manufacture objects in nearly any form with minimum material waste. However, components developed utilizing the AM process have dimensional constraints. To address this issue, AM-produced metal materials can be coupled with various welding processes. This article focuses on the foundations, highlighting the distinguishing features, capabilities, and challenges of welding-based AM processes by categorizing them into two major groups; arc welding-based AM like Cold Metal Transfer (CMT), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), and high-energy density welding based AM like Laser Beam Welding (LBW) and Electron Beam Welding (EBW). The prior study findings of welding-based AM metal components on mechanical characteristics and microstructural characterization have been addressed. This work will aid researchers, academicians, and professional welders since it gathers vital information on welding-based AM processes. Furthermore, current research in the arena of welding-based AM and its future opportunities has been discussed.