Wire arc additive manufacturing of aluminium alloys: A review

Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is the most advanced technique used to fabricate desired parts by depositing material in layer-by-layer sequence. WAAM can produce medium and large sized components with higher deposition rates, low manufacturing cost and less production time. Mechanical and metallurgical properties of WAAM based products are much better and suited for aerospace engineering. WAAM is still under examination because of challenges like porosity, corrosion, delamination, residual stresses and oxidation. From the literature review, it has observed that the metals like titanium, aluminum, steels & nickel alloys can be used in WAAM process. In this paper, the various technologies and process advancements such as inter pass cold rolling, inter pass cooling, peening effect and weld pool oscillation have been discussed in detail. Finally, an in depth about WAAM of aluminum alloys and metallurgical and mechanical properties have been discussed. Based on the above review, various problems associated with WAAM of aluminum alloys and the strategies to address the issues are presented.