Selective Laser Melting of Compositionally Graded Alloys

A method for the additive manufacturing of compositionally graded alloys (CGAs) using selective laser melting (SLM) was devised and demonstrated by producing CoCrMo-Nickel based superalloy CGA coupons that are defect-free and with smooth end-to-end variations in the composition and microstructures. The variations in the tensile properties and hardness, measured using high throughput characterization techniques, were rationalized by recourse to the different phases present in the microstructures. The method has the potential to be extended to other material combinations for creating high quality CGA components.