STEEL ALLOYS IN WIRE ARC ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND APPLICATIONS

Arc-based Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is emerging as a cost-effective and efficient method for fabricating large-scale metal components like steel-based alloys.This study explores the use of WAAM in producing mild, stainless, and duplex steels by exploring their advantages and fabrication challenges.Mild steel has good weldability and low cost but suffers from thermal distortion and geometric inaccuracies.Stainless steel provides good corrosion resistance but is prone to anisotropy and microstructural inconsistency.Duplex steel has both high strength and corrosion resistance, yet it demands precise thermal control to maintain phase balance and avoid cracking.The review explores AI-driven control strategies for defect reduction and performance enhancement.This work aims to guide organisational developments and enhance industrial adoption of WAAM for steel-based alloy components in marine, energy, and structural sectors.