A layer-by-layer 3-dimensional manufacturing process, popularly known as additive manufacturing (AM) provides intrinsic advantages compared to conventional casting such as fabrication of complex shapes with ease, freedom of design as well as higher heating and cooling rates. Due to higher cooling rates, the AM process hinders the atomic diffusion and hence suppress phase transition and intermetallic formation during the manufacturing process. The Atom Probe Tomography image shows different phases in the heat-treated medium entropy alloys (MEA) revealing the chemical composition of these phases. It also shows the nanoscale Ni-rich precipitation process inside the Cr, Fe-rich phase.
Recorded on CAMECA LEAP 4000X HR at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany. Image courtesy of V. Ashok.