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Beam Shaping in LPBF of IN718: Top-Surface Morphology and Defect Mechanisms — Doubling Build Rate via Small Hatch Spacing and High Scan Speed Process Window
Robin Prudlik, Jonas Grünewald, Simon Sankaré, and Katrin Wudy from the Laser Additive Manufacturing team at the Technical University of Munich published a paper in Additive Manufacturing (October 2026 issue, DOI: 10.1016/j.addma.2026.105402) systematically investigating the effects of laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing on the top-surface morphology and defect formation in IN718 processed by laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M), comparing Gaussian and ring beam profiles. The study shows that surface tension-driven melt pool instability is the core factor limiting productivity, particularly at high scan speeds (≳1600 mm/s) and large hatch spacings (≳0.15 mm). Hatch spacing is the primary trigger of surface irregularity, acting through control of inter-track remelting and transverse melt pool confinement; scan speed determines the morphology type and characteristic wavelength. Increasing hatch spacing reduces inter-track overlap, suppresses remelting-induced planarization, and induces unstable surface features; increasing scan speed shrinks the melt pool size, driving the surface from continuous to discontinuous states. Using ISO 25178 areal roughness parameters and a regularized classification framework, process maps were constructed: a planar top surface is achieved only at small hatch spacings, independent of beam shape; however, the combination of small hatch spacing and high scan speed maintains a planar top surface while increasing build rate by more than twofold compared to typical existing processes. Value for powder buyers: This study provides a new process window for IN718 powder under beam-shaping processes that balances surface quality and productivity. The small hatch spacing and high scan speed strategy imposes higher demands on powder batch consistency—sphericity, particle size distribution, and flowability directly affect melt pool stability at high scan speeds. When purchasing, verify the supplier's batch data and quality traceability documentation.
2026-10-17Guangdong Hengtai's RMB 3.837 Billion Titanium-Based New Materials Integrated Project Phase I Filed: 100,000 t/y Chloride-Process Titanium Dioxide + 25,000 t/y Titanium Sponge
The Phase I green titanium-based new materials integrated project of Guangdong Hengtai New Materials Co., Ltd. completed filing on October 16, 2026, with a total investment of RMB 3.837 billion. It involves building production lines for 100,000 t/y chloride-process titanium dioxide and 25,000 t/y titanium sponge, and is located in the West Zone of Maoming High-tech Industrial Development Zone. This is an upstream titanium raw material capacity expansion rather than a direct additive manufacturing event: titanium sponge is the most upstream feedstock for titanium alloy powders (TC4/TA15, etc.), and the integrated layout of chloride-process titanium dioxide and titanium sponge can dilute titanium raw material costs. The commissioning of 25,000 t/y of titanium sponge capacity will strengthen titanium raw material supply in South China, provide a cost anchor and supply assurance for downstream powder producers, and indirectly benefit the cost and delivery stability of titanium alloy powders. For powder buyers: upstream titanium sponge capacity expansion is a medium- to long-term bullish signal for titanium alloy powder prices; attention should be paid to the linkage between powder production capacity in South China and raw material procurement rhythms.
2026-10-16Titomic Awarded $250,000 Contract by Bechtel BPMI: TKF Cold Spray Technology to Evaluate U.S. Navy Submarine Repair Materials
Titomic USA (ASX: TTT) announced on October 16 that it has been awarded a contract by Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. (BPMI) to evaluate and develop advanced material solutions supporting the U.S. Navy submarine industrial base, with an initial order valued at $250,000 (approximately AUD 361,000). The collaboration centers on Titomic's proprietary TKF™ (Titomic Kinetic Fusion) cold spray additive manufacturing technology, which uses solid-state metal powder deposition (without melting) to achieve high-performance coatings, repairs, and near-net-shape components with minimal heat-affected zones and preserved material properties. The two parties will jointly explore advanced repair materials and manufacturing processes for future U.S. Navy programs, including submarine repair. Titomic plans to further introduce the TKF cold spray process into broader defense applications such as rapid production, component repair, and advanced material development to enhance readiness and reduce lifecycle costs. The announcement was made from Huntsville, Alabama, USA. CEO Jim Simpson stated that the future belongs to companies that dare to challenge traditional manufacturing methods and co-develop entirely new capabilities. Previously in an exploratory collaboration phase, this contract marks a substantive advancement of the partnership. Value to powder buyers: ① The defense repair demand signal for spherical metal powders (titanium, aluminum, nickel-based, refractory metals, DED/cold spray feed-grade particle sizes) is strengthening; ② if the U.S. submarine industrial base repair material evaluation is successful, it will bring opportunities for supporting powder supply and qualification; ③ Titomic's deeper integration into the U.S. defense supply chain benefits long-term order expectations for its partner powder suppliers.
2026-10-16📡 Get Daily Industry Updates
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