ABSTRACT
Laser additive manufacturing is becoming increasingly important in advanced manufacturing; current research efforts are focused on optimizing the parameters for processing mature alloys from powder feedstock to achieve properties, at least equivalent to, or better than, conventionally processed counterparts. However, laser additive manufacturing or processing also opens up a new horizon in terms of processing novel alloys and composites that are difficult to process using conventional techniques. This article provides an overview of such a novel approach to process in situ metal-matrix composites as well as functionally/compositionally graded alloys with refined microstructures using the laser metal deposition additive manufacturing process. Few case studies will be used as examples, mainly based on nickel-matrix composites, titanium-based composites, and high entropy alloys.
