A Review of the Latest Welding Technologies for Metallic Components Produced by Additive Manufacturing Processes

Abstract

Welding processes for metal components produced by additive manufacturing are becoming a crucial task, especially in the case of fabricating large and complex structures. This review aims to introduce the latest welding methodologies for printed parts as well as addressing their prospects. The main welding technologies that are covered in this review include (i) arc welding (ii) laser and electron beam welding, (iii) friction stir welding. In terms of metallic systems, the focus is on both commonly used alloys, including Ti-base alloys, stainless steels, Al-base alloys and Ni-base superalloys, and special material systems, such as high-entropy alloys. This review also aims to demonstrate the feasibility of different welding technologies and to delineate the appropriate set of welding parameters (welding window) that provide optimum welding parameters.