A preparation method of a high-strength and high-toughness A356.2 metal matrix composites for a hub is provided, including the following preparation process steps: preparation of a (graphene+HfB.sub.2)-aluminum master alloy wire; A356.2 alloy melting, master alloy addition, refining, and pressure casting; solution and aging treatment; shot blasting, finishing, alkaline/acid cleaning, anodic oxidation, and finished product packaging. In this way, two systems of two-dimensional nano-structure graphene nucleation and in-situ self-nucleation are introduced to complement each other, a second phase of silicon in A356.2 is refined by multi-dimensional scaling, and multi-dimensional nano-phases strengthen the aluminum-based composite material simultaneously. The preparation method solves the problems of limiting the strength, hardness, plasticity and toughness during the application of common A356.2 alloys for a hub, and a graphene/HfB.sub.2/aluminum composite material produced by a low-pressure casting process has an excellent comprehensive performance, so as to achieve a further weight reduction requirement for light weight.

A method comprising the steps of: distributing a titanium alloy or pure titanium powder layer on a work table inside a vacuum chamber, directing at least one electron beam from at least one electron beam source over the work table causing the powder layer to fuse in selected locations, distributing a second powder layer on the work table of a titanium alloy or pure titanium inside the build chamber, directing the at least one electron beam over the work table causing the second powder layer to fuse in selected locations, and releasing a predefined concentration of the gas from the metal powder into the vacuum chamber when at least one of heating or fusing the metal powder layer, wherein at least one gas comprising hydrogen is absorbed into or chemically bonded to the titanium or titanium alloy powder to a concentration of 0.01-0.5% by weight of the hydrogen.

A method comprising the steps of: distributing a titanium alloy or pure titanium powder layer on a work table inside a vacuum chamber, directing at least one electron beam from at least one electron beam source over the work table causing the powder layer to fuse in selected locations, distributing a second powder layer on the work table of a titanium alloy or pure titanium inside the build chamber, directing the at least one electron beam over the work table causing the second powder layer to fuse in selected locations, and releasing a predefined concentration of the gas from the metal powder into the vacuum chamber when at least one of heating or fusing the metal powder layer, wherein at least one gas comprising hydrogen is absorbed into or chemically bonded to the titanium or titanium alloy powder to a concentration of 0.01-0.5% by weight of the hydrogen.

A method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a metal powder bed is provided, comprising the steps of: distributing a first metal powder layer on a work table inside a build chamber, directing at least one high energy beam from at least one high energy beam source over the work table causing the first metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, distributing a second metal powder layer on the work table, directing at least one high energy beam over the work table causing the second metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, introducing a first supplementary gas into the build chamber, which first supplementary gas comprising hydrogen, is capable of reacting chemically with or being absorbed by a finished three-dimensional article, and releasing a predefined concentration of the gas which had reacted chemically with or being absorbed by the finished three dimensional article.

A method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a metal powder bed is provided, comprising the steps of: distributing a first metal powder layer on a work table inside a build chamber, directing at least one high energy beam from at least one high energy beam source over the work table causing the first metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, distributing a second metal powder layer on the work table, directing at least one high energy beam over the work table causing the second metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, introducing a first supplementary gas into the build chamber, which first supplementary gas comprising hydrogen, is capable of reacting chemically with or being absorbed by a finished three-dimensional article, and releasing a predefined concentration of the gas which had reacted chemically with or being absorbed by the finished three dimensional article.

An apparatus and a process for removing a support structure from a 3D printed part, where the 3D printed part along with the support structure is placed in an acid solution and the part is surrounded by an induction heater. The acid solution is recirculated through the acid tank to prevent the acid solution from heating up too much. Small surfaces of the part are heated up by the induction heater before larger pieces are heated so that the acid will remove the smaller pieces first. After enough time, all of the support structure is removed by the acid and the heater to leave the finished 3D printed part with the support structure removed.

An apparatus and a process for removing a support structure from a 3D printed part, where the 3D printed part along with the support structure is placed in an acid solution and the part is surrounded by an induction heater. The acid solution is recirculated through the acid tank to prevent the acid solution from heating up too much. Small surfaces of the part are heated up by the induction heater before larger pieces are heated so that the acid will remove the smaller pieces first. After enough time, all of the support structure is removed by the acid and the heater to leave the finished 3D printed part with the support structure removed.

Orthopedic implants produced by additive manufacture, followed by refinement of exterior and interior surfaces trough mechanical erosion, chemical erosion, or a combination of mechanical and chemical erosion. Surface refinement removes debris, and also produces bone-growth enhancing micro-scale and nano-scale structures.

Orthopedic implants produced by additive manufacture, followed by refinement of exterior and interior surfaces trough mechanical erosion, chemical erosion, or a combination of mechanical and chemical erosion. Surface refinement removes debris, and also produces bone-growth enhancing micro-scale and nano-scale structures.

Disclosed is a method for producing a blade for a turbomachine, which method comprises: providing a blade root, having a first platform region, from a first material; providing on the first platform region at least one capsule that is filled with a metallic and/or ceramic powder that comprises at least one second material which is different from the first material, for producing a blade airfoil having a second platform region; producing and shaping a blade airfoil from the capsule that is filled with the powder by at least one thermal input method, thereby connecting the blade root to the blade airfoil in respective platform regions.

Also disclosed is a blade which is obtainable and/or obtained by this method.