Suppression of LME cracks in Sn bronze-steel system based on multi-material additive manufacturing

The liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracks caused by the liquid–solid compound process of Sn bronze/steel significantly deteriorate the mechanical properties of the steel layer, especially its ductility. Based on multi-material additive manufacturing, a suppression approach for LME cracks in Sn bronze-steel system was developed by introducing a cupronickel interlayer, and a Sn bronze/cupronickel/steel laminated composite with a braided-like structure was fabricated. The composite possesses a high interlaminar bonding strength, and no LME cracks were found in the steel.