Applying computational thermodynamics to additive manufacturing

A report by the National Academies on integrated computational materials engineering (ICME)1 in 2008 outlined an approach to designing products, the materials they are comprised of, and their associated materials processing methods by linking materials models at multiple length scales. Through the use of such simulations, it is possible to vary alloy compositions and predict optimal solidification processes and solution heat-treatment temperature ranges without performing many time-consuming and costly experiments. See PDF] Predicting optimal postbuild heat treatments Additive processes are typically associated with rapid cooling rates and large thermal gradients.