Wire-and-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is a DED-based process suitable to realize large-scale elements thanks tothe use of a robotic arm. Nonetheless, the printed outcomes are characterized by specific mechanical, microstructural and geometrical properties requiring proper investigations.
The objective of this research is to develop an innovative Standard Tensile Test Protocol aimed at characterizing the mechanical properties of WAAM-produced steel alloys. The approach consists in the integration of existing standard tensile test method for metals (ISO 6892-1, ASTM E8/E8M) with ad-hoc measurements and procedures aimed at evaluating the specific aspects of WAAM-produced pieces (such as anisotropy and geometrical surface irregularities)which are not commonly investigated with the current standards.
The research starts with the delivery of a Proposed Protocol grounded on the previous expertise of the team members. The Proposed Protocol is first integrated with information collected from a critical literature review leading to the Draft Protocol. Then, the Draft Protocol is validated through an experimental investigation suitably tailored to state the repeatability of the protocol to characterize the mechanical properties of different WAAM-produced steel alloys. The research ends with the development of the ”Standard tensile test protocol for WAAM-produced steel alloys”.
The impact of the research is to extent the application of WAAM process and pave the way for the realization of ad-hoc standard design protocols for this technology.