Physical properties and microstructure performance of ultrafine nanocrystals reinforced laser 3D print microlaminates

Rapid prototyping based on laser alloying was used to produce ultrafine nanocrystals (UN) reinforced three-dimensional microlaminates. Such microlaminates were fabricated on a TA1 alloy by laser rapid prototyping (LRP) of Stellite 20-TiN-B4C mixed powders to produce a bottom layer; then Stellite 20-TiN-B4C-Sb powders were deposited on such bottom-layer in order to form an upper-layer. There is an excellent metallurgical combination between such two layer; the upper-layer shows a better wear resistance than that of the bottom layer. The Sb addition promoted lots of UN to be produced, and lots of the nanorods were also produced in such microlaminates, their growth was retarded by agglomeration of UN in a certain extent. Such UN had the high interface energy, which became the driving force of atomic motions, favoring formation of a compact fine structure.