Microscale Characterization of Additively Manufactured Nickel Aluminum Bronze
Grant-funded research project — Naval applications of AM materials.
Overview
This project focused on the microscale mechanical and compositional characterization of additively manufactured (AM) Nickel Aluminum Bronze (NAB), a material commonly used in marine environments for its corrosion resistance and strength. Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), the goal was to compare microstructural and mechanical performance with cast NAB.
Methods
Techniques included Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), microhardness testing, and nanoindentation. Samples were prepared and polished for cross-sectional mapping, and data were analyzed to quantify hardness and modulus across various grain and phase boundaries.
Key Findings
- AM NAB exhibited finer microstructures and higher hardness than traditional cast NAB.
- Grain refinement and phase uniformity contributed to improved mechanical stability.
- Preliminary corrosion data showed reduced pit density on AM NAB surfaces after immersion testing.
Publication
Microstructural Investigation of Graphene Reinforced Nickel Aluminum Bronze Prepared via Laser Powder Bed Fusion — Journal of Laser Applications (2025).