Duan, R., Lu, K., Li, X., Zhang, J., Xu, J., Feng, K., Li, Z., Wang, J., Zhao, Y., Liang, X., & Ramamurty, U. (2026). Effect of ceramic particles on print, microstructural, and mechanical properties of refractory-multi-principal-element-alloy. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 150335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2026.150335
Abstract:
Expansion of the process window for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of refractory multi-principal-element alloys (RMPEAs) without compromising their mechanical performance is a major challenge. The addition of ceramic particles to the RMPEA powders offers a possible solution. The effects of NbC, TaC, ZrC, and WC ceramic particles (with different particle sizes and contents) to the Nb15Ta10W75 powders on powder flowability, laser absorptivity, powder spreading, surface roughness, and the characteristics of the fabricated specimens (density microstructure, and mechanical properties) are experimentally evaluated. The results show that the addition of submicron-sized WC powder provides an optimal solution, with enhanced laser absorptivity (88 %) of the mixed powder and increased density of the printed sample (99.5 %), while exerting minimal influence on the powder flowability and surface roughness. For contents <1.5 at.%, the submicron-sized WC particles dissolves in the matrix during LPBF and induced lattice distortion, while the addition of ≥1.5 at.% led to NbC precipitation, affecting grain size refinement, and yield strength and fracture strain improvements. This work provides a selection and optimization framework for refractory alloy/ceramic powder mixtures for LPBF, providing a novel approach for improving the printability and mechanical properties.
License type:
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the A*STAR - Advanced Alloys and Coatings for Structural and Functional Applications in Extreme Environments
Grant Reference no. : M25P1a0081