Thermal analysis of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing process

Wire arc additive manufacturing process (WAAM) is an innovative technology that offers freedom in terms of designing functional parts, due to its ability to manufacture large and complex workpieces with a high rate of deposition. This technology is a metal AM process using an electric arc heat source. The parts manufactured are affected by thermal residual stresses due to high-energy input between wire and workpiece despite numerous advantages with this technology. It could cause severe deformation and change the global mechanical response. A 3D transient thermal model was created to evaluate the thermal gradients and fields during metal deposition. The material used in this study is a steel alloy (S355JR-AR). This numerical model takes into account the heat dissipation through the external environment and the heat loss through the cooling system under the base plate. Birth-element activation strategy was used to generate warm solid part following the movement of the heat source. The metal deposition is defined with constant welding speed. Goldak model was used to simulate the heat source in order to have a realistic heat flow distribution. Results were in concordance for thermal cycles at different points comparing with experimental results issued from bibliography in terms of: (1) Temperature maximum, (2) Thermal cycles and (3) Cooling gradient phase. This study enabled to check the numerical model and used as a predictive tool.