Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing: Process Overview and a Case Study on Low-Carbon Steels

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) becomes a preferable option for manufacturing large-sized parts. In comparison to other metallic additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, the outstanding superiority of this technology is the elevated rate of depositing materials, relatively low equipment investment costs, and many materials available in the market. However, WAAM is still a new technology and is being studied to gain a comprehensive understanding of industrial applications. Recent works in literature have concentrated on observing the appearance, metallurgy, and mechanical characteristics of parts made from different materials. Among them, steel is the most studied material because it is commonly used in industry. In this chapter, a comprehensive overview of the WAAM process is first presented. Subsequently, a case study on the metallurgical characterisation of as-WAAMed mild steel parts is discussed. The chapter provides a basic understanding of using WAAM to manufacture steel parts and makes recommendations when applying this technology in practical applications. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Sandeep Rathee, Manu Srivastava, individual chapters.