technology

The Top Grain heat treatment works by converting the fine as-printed grain structure in additively manufactured materials to a coarse columnar structure, similar to that found in directionally solidified materials used in traditionally manufactured turbine components. This coarse columnar structure greatly enhances the high temperature performance of the AM material, opening up new opportunities for the advantages of AM. The Top Grain heat treatment also unlocks the potential of novel materials, such as additively manufactured oxide dispersion-strengthened superalloys, with creep resistance superior to that of cast single crystal components.