RMIT ultrasound study adds strength to 3D-printed alloys

The study of ultrasound’s impact on the inner micro-structure of 3D printed alloys was conducted at RMIT University in Melbourne and has been published in Nature Communications.

Lead author and PhD candidate from RMIT University's School of Engineering, Carmelo Todaro, said the results could inspire new forms of additive manufacturing.

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"If you look at the microscopic structure of 3D printed alloys, they're often made up of large and elongated crystals," Todaro said in a statement.

"This can make them less acceptable for engineering applications due to their lower mechanical performance and increased tendency to crack during printing."

"But the microscopic structure of the alloys we applied ultrasound to during printing looked markedly different: the alloy crystals were very fine and fully equiaxed, meaning they had formed equally in all directions throughout the entire printed metal part."

According to RMIT, testing showed these parts had a 12 per cent improvement in tensile strength and yield stress compared with those made through conventional additive manufacturing.