Revealing The Correlation between Process-Induced Defects and Microstructural Heterogeneity on The Local Mechanical Integrity of WAAM Steel Components
Description
This dataset provides high-resolution macroscopic and microscopic imagery of steel components fabricated using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). The data supports research into how varying process parameters influence the formation of process-induced defects and subsequent microstructural heterogeneity.
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Metallographic analysis was performed to examine the microstructure formed during the WAAM process. An Olympus optical microscope with a magnification of 500x was utilized to capture detailed images of the microstructure. The metallographic examination also aimed to delineate the boundaries between deposited layers, which were subsequently correlated with Vickers hardness measurements conducted across different layers. Prior to imaging, specimens underwent surface preparation through progressive smoothing using sandpapers of varying grit sizes to ensure a uniform surface. Following mechanical polishing, the specimens were chemically etched using a nitric acid solution composed of 2% Nitric Acid (HNO3) and 98% Methanol, according to ASTM E407 (2015) standards. To maintain a flat imaging surface and prevent distortion due to surface height variations, the specimens were embedded in resin within a box-shaped mold. Microstructural images were systematically acquired at three distinct locations along the build height: top, middle, and bottom sections. The microstructure phase proportions of steel were calculated to determine the number of ferrite and pearlite grain types formed. The calculation of the phases and the number of grains formed is displayed as a percentage of each grain using ImageJ software.