The AProLAM Project

In April 2015, the project "AProLAM" - Advanced Alloys and Process Design for Laser Additive Manufacturing of Metals was started, funded by the strategic cooperation between the Max-Planck-Society and the Fraunhofer-Society. In this project, the two partners Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung (MPIE) and Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) are working together on the development of alloys for the LAM process and at the same time on the adaptation of the LAM process for the synthesis of new alloys. The complementary expertise of the project partners is illustrated below.

In the scope of the AProLAM project, several sub-projects are carried out at MPIE. They are listed below.

Cluster-hardening alloys by intrinsic heat treatment

Commercially available materials are designed and optimised for the conventional processing route (e.g. casting, rolling and annealing) and therefore might not be optimal for LAM or might even not be suitable for LAM at all. The time-temperature profile experienced by a part produced by LAM is very different from the one produced by conventional manufacturing.

Design and synthesis of an ODS steel by LAM

LAM involves rapid melting and solidification with only a small melt pool volume existing at any time during the manufacturing process. This offers the opportunity to manufacture materials that cannot be cast conventionally, e.g. oxide-dispersion strengthened alloys. more