Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for improved manufacturing of parts are disclosed. One or more devices realize in situ laser shock peening for selective laser melting process to allow for microstructural control of a manufactured part, both locally and globally. The device can include a platform, an energy source (e.g., a laser), an applier to provide one or more opaque materials to form an opaque overlay, and one or more transparent materials that is/are disposed above the deposited opaque material to form a transparent overlay. The platform can include at least a first conduit used with generating a shock wave as part of the peening process and a second conduit to receive a vacuum device for residue collection from the peening process. The platform can be configured to translate relative to the sample on which the peening process is performed such that printing, peening and vacuuming can be performed substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing mechanical properties in-situ and in real-time of an object being additively manufactured are provided. Such systems can include an inducer (e.g., micro- or nano-inducer) that measures one or more parameters of the object being manufactured, such as a hardness or modulus of material deposited to form the object, and one or more cameras that generate one or more images of the object being manufactured. The measured parameter(s) and generated image(s) can be used by a controller in real-time to generate one or more topographic images of the object being printed and/or one or more 3D-maps of the object being printed. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller can be used to modify parameters that impact the object being printed, such as parameters associated with the printer or a surrounding print environment. Methods of printing based on such systems are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and processes for forming barrier coatings to prevent hydrogen embrittlement of an underlying material are disclosed. The coating can be made up of composite structures of metal and oxide that are alternately deposited onto a substrate for creating a multilayer coated substrate. Such multilayer coating can be incorporated into many contexts in which hydrogen permeation prevention is desired, such as pipelines and manufacture of advanced automotive steels. The process involves depositing a metal layer onto the substrate followed by a metal oxide layer thereon. The interface of the metal layer and the oxide layer can form space-charge zones that decrease hydrogen permeability therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating hydrogen concentration in structural materials by electrochemically controlling hydrogen desorption to promote recovery from hydrogen embrittlement are disclosed. Embrittled material can be exposed to an electrolyte and a counter electrode to set up a potential across the material to induce the electrochemical oxidation of atomic hydrogen (H) in the surface of the material. Oxidation reduces hydrogen concentration near the surface, increases hydrogen diffusion toward the surface, and eventually accelerates hydrogen desorption through and out of the material. In some embodiments, a catalyst can be applied to the surface of the material to return the material to its original state before embrittlement.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for tracking site-specific microstructure evolutions and local mechanical fields in metallic samples deformed along biaxial strain paths. The method is based on interrupted bulge tests carried out with a custom sample holder adapted for SEM-based analytical measurements. Embodiments include elliptical dies used to generate proportional and complex strain paths in material samples. One example holding device includes a base having a floor and walls that extend to form a chamber for a sample, the floor having apertures for receiving a pressure-supplying fluid, a cover having an opening and configured such that the cover and base can be coupled together to tightly clamp a sample in the chamber, and washers disposed between the base and the cover, each washer having openings extending therethrough change at least one of a shape and a size of the opening formed in the cover.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, compositions, and methods for manufacturing objects with sharp edges having a high strength and hardness. To form the sharp edge, an object can be subjected to a compressive force that locally deforms the object to create the sharp edge. In some embodiments, deformation can occur by passing the material through a system of one or more opposed tapered rolls having one or more tapering angles for deforming the material. The tapered rolls can rotate and drive the material downstream to a next opposed pair of tapered rolls. The tapered rolls deform the material by changing the material microstructure, compressing the grains of the material in a predetermined location to create a more homogeneous microstructure. The local modification of the resulting microstructure increases the homogeneity as well as the hardness and strength of the material and prevents cracking and/or chipping of the material.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for tracking site-specific microstructure evolutions and local mechanical fields in metallic samples deformed along biaxial strain paths. The method is based on interrupted bulge tests carried out with a custom sample holder adapted for SEM-based analytical measurements. Embodiments include elliptical dies used to generate proportional and complex strain paths in material samples. One example holding device includes a base having a floor and walls that extend to form a chamber for a sample, the floor having apertures for receiving a pressure-supplying fluid, a cover having an opening and configured such that the cover and base can be coupled together to tightly clamp a sample in the chamber, and washers disposed between the base and the cover, each washer having openings extending therethrough change at least one of a shape and a size of the opening formed in the cover.