Mechanical Testing and Microstructural Characterization of Bimetallic Structure of Austenitic Steel Fabricated via Wire plus Arc Additive Manufacturing

This study investigates the manufacturing and mechanical performance of bimetallic structure (BMS) walls created using wire plus arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology, specifically incorporating SS347 and SS304 stainless steel filler wires. BMS represents an advanced material approach designed to address the challenges of conventional multimaterial joining, offering a seamless gradient of properties across its structure. The research reveals that SS347 provides superior mechanical properties compared to SS304, including higher tensile strength and exceptional ductility. By combining SS347 and SS304, BMS harnesses the benefits of both materials while minimizing their individual drawbacks, resulting in a robust and adaptable structure. Notably, compared to WAAM‐fabricated SS304 alone, the BMS consistently exhibits enhanced tensile strength without compromising ductility, attributed to the cyclic thermal effects that refine the microstructure. This work demonstrates the potential of WAAM‐produced BMS for applications requiring tailored mechanical properties, advancing the versatility and applicability of additive manufacturing in complex structural engineering.