The final microstructure in additively manufactured (AM) components is determined by a complex interplay between the alloy characteristics, powder properties and printing parameters. To fully map out fundamental mechanisms behind the materials’ behaviour during AM processes, observations beyond post-print ex situ characterization of printed parts are needed.

This work demonstrates how in situ observations using synchrotron X-rays can be used to study AM processes in real time. To generate conditions typical for AM meanwhile allowing for in situ X-ray studies, a dedicated AM sample environments is needed. Here, the construction of an electron beam-powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) sample environment is described [1]. Both high-speed X-ray radiography and diffraction are then applied to image the meltpool dynamics and to follow the microstructure evolution during PBF-EB, respectively.

Furthermore, how these in situ measurements can be used to validate computational thermodynamics and kinetics models [2], enabling alloy development for AM, is discussed.

References
[1] H-H. König, N. Semjatov et al. Review of Scientific Instruments, 2023, 94, 125103.
[2] H-H. König et al. Acta Materialia, 2023, 246, 118713.