Effect of Printing Parameters on Surface Roughness and Mechanical Properties of Wire Arc Additive Manufactured Carbon Steel

In this paper, the effect of printing parameters on the surface roughness and mechanical properties of wire arc additive manufactured (WAAM) carbon steel is evaluated. WAAM has become increasingly popular as an additive manufacturing method, particularly for producing large parts. Utilizing welding equipment with cold metal transfer (CMT) technology in WAAM production ensures high-quality parts. However, printing parameters play a crucial role in determining material properties. This study evaluates the impact of five different printing parameters on these properties. Microhardness measurements were conducted in the deposition direction of the printed walls, while optical microscopy was used to assess the surface roughness of the printed carbon steel. Tensile tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties of the WAAM-printed carbon steel. The results indicated uniform hardness across all printing parameters, with no observable defects such as pores. Significant differences in surface roughness were noted between the various printing parameters. Although the printing parameters did not significantly affect the tensile strength of the printed carbon steel, they did result in noticeable differences in elongation.