Enhancement of material microstructure and properties in Arc wire-based direct energy deposition: A short review

Arc wire-based Direct Energy Deposition (DED) technology is an essential additive manufacturing process that exhibits a high deposition rate and heat accumulation. This technology is advantageous due to its efficient production at a low cost. The process utilizes an electric arc for heat source and metal wire for feed material. After path planning, it creates three-dimensional metal parts layer by layer. In order to prevent defects from affecting the service condition and lifespan of the parts, it is crucial to focus on the evolution of the microstructure and the enhancement of the mechanical properties during the deposition process. During metal parts manufacturing using Arc wirebased DED, defects such as residual stresses, porosity, deformation, and cracking are generated due to the complex thermal cycle and high heat input. This paper provides a concise overview of the process and methodology involved in Arc wire-based DED, along with an analysis of the resulting microstructure and material properties. This review also outlines means of controlling the heat input, as well as pre-treatment, in-process, and post-treatment methods for controlling the defects and microstructure to improve the properties of the workpieces. Finally, the paper offers insights into achieving high-quality, defect-free workpieces using Arc wire-based DED and provides recommendations for future DED development.