Wear Properties of Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing Components: A review on recent developments on Processes, Materials and Parameters

Abstract

This paper presents a critical review of the characterization and tribology of 304L stainless steel manufactured by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). This paper begins with an introduction to additive manufacturing (AM), detailing various AM processes with a focus on WAAM followed by the introduction of tribology and about its importance. WAAM, which uses an electric arc as a power source and wire as a feedstock, offers high deposition rates and cost efficiency compared to other AM processes. The tribological performance of 304L stainless steel, material used in WAAM, is evaluated under various conditions. 304L is the grade of austenite stainless steel that is used in various industries like nuclear, chemical, etc. things examine include significant improvements in wear resistance and friction reduction when employing impact texturing with Sic particles and nano-scale surface peening. The study also reviews the superior performance of 316L stainless steel over 304L in terms of wear and corrosion resistance due to its higher molybdenum and chromium content ¹. Additionally, the effect of ambient temperature on the wear performance of AISI 304L stainless steel is examined ², showing variable friction coefficients and wear rates influenced by temperature changes. This comprehensive review underscores the potential of WAAM-produced 304L stainless steel in diverse applications, emphasizing the importance of proper surface treatments to enhance performance.