The increased design freedom and potential to reduce production time has made additive manufacturing (AM) an area of great interest to industry.

However, there is relatively little data about the properties and potential service performance of AM materials. This has created a need to generate information that facilitates compliance with regulations and codes such as ASME, API and PED.

As a result, TWI Ltd has embarked on a joint industry project alongside Lloyd’s Register, AECC BIAM, AVIC MTI, Chevron and Sellafield, with a view to introducing new data and guidance.

TWI is leading the AM aspect of the project, including process development, materials characterisation, testing and inspection. The project aims to improve AM knowledge and allow for the widespread adoption of the process in key industries.

For example, an investigation will be performed into the deposition of 316L stainless steel through selective laser melting (SLM) and ‘wire plus arc additive manufacturing’ (WAAM).

This research will allow for the production of a database detailing the material properties and tensile strength, fracture toughness and corrosion-resistance of 316L when manufactured using these AM processes.

Where possible, the project will target achieving the acceptance of AM-deposited 316L in standards selected by the sponsor companies, and identifying the ‘path to acceptance’ in other cases.