Wire‐Arc Additive Manufacturing Using Ni1Cu Weathering Steel

A part consisting of Ni1Cu weathering steel is prepared by wire‐arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). Micro‐ and crystalline structures of this sample are analyzed spectro‐ and microscopically. Mechanical properties of the Ni1Cu steel (including microhardness, tensile strength, and impact resistance) are also assessed. Ni1Cu weathering steel possesses excellent forming quality and almost no defects when used for WAAM. The main features of the steel microstructure are blocks and needles, consisting of ferrite and granular bainite. The microhardness values in the transverse and longitudinal directions are uniform and equal to 169 and 177 HV0.2, respectively. Ni1Cu steel also demonstrates excellent mechanical properties with the transverse yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and impact value of Charpy impact equal to 379 MPa, 517 MPa, 35.5%, and 147 J at −20 °C, respectively. The longitudinal direction values are equal to 376 MPa, 510 MPa, 31.5%, and 130 J at −20 °C, respectively. The Ni1Cu steel corrosion potential and current are equal to −719 mV and 5.8 × 10−3 mA cm−1, respectively.