An additively manufactured (AM) object may include a body including an opening in an exterior surface thereof, the opening having a shape and a first area at the exterior surface of the body. A mask may be positioned over the opening. The mask has the shape of the opening and a second area that is larger than the first area so as to overhang the exterior surface of the body about the opening. A plurality of support ligaments couple to the mask and the exterior surface of the body at a location adjacent to the opening to support a portion of the mask. A coating can be applied to the object, and the mask removed. The final AM object includes a plurality of ligament elements extending from the exterior surface of the body and through the coating adjacent the opening, each ligament element at least partially surrounded by the coating.

An additively manufactured (AM) object may include a body including an opening in an exterior surface thereof, the opening having a shape and a first area at the exterior surface of the body. A mask may be positioned over the opening. The mask has the shape of the opening and a second area that is larger than the first area so as to overhang the exterior surface of the body about the opening. A plurality of support ligaments couple to the mask and the exterior surface of the body at a location adjacent to the opening to support a portion of the mask. A coating can be applied to the object, and the mask removed. The final AM object includes a plurality of ligament elements extending from the exterior surface of the body and through the coating adjacent the opening, each ligament element at least partially surrounded by the coating.

Methods for repairing an airfoil having a damaged region are provided. The method can include removing the damaged portion from the airfoil to form an intermediate component. The damaged portion generally includes an original film hole having an original cross-sectional geometry. Using additive manufacturing, a replacement portion is then applied on the intermediate component to form a repaired component with the replacement portion including a rebuilt film hole having a rebuilt cross-sectional geometry that is different than the original cross-sectional geometry.

Methods for repairing an airfoil having a damaged region are provided. The method can include removing the damaged portion from the airfoil to form an intermediate component. The damaged portion generally includes an original film hole having an original cross-sectional geometry. Using additive manufacturing, a replacement portion is then applied on the intermediate component to form a repaired component with the replacement portion including a rebuilt film hole having a rebuilt cross-sectional geometry that is different than the original cross-sectional geometry.

A method includes additively manufacturing an article in an inert environment, removing the article from the inert environment and placing the article in a non-inert environment, allowing at least a portion the article to oxidize in the non-inert environment to form an oxidized layer on a surface of the article, and removing the oxidized layer (e.g., to smooth the surface of the article). The method can further include relieving stress in the article (e.g., via heating the article after additive manufacturing).

A method includes additively manufacturing an article in an inert environment, removing the article from the inert environment and placing the article in a non-inert environment, allowing at least a portion the article to oxidize in the non-inert environment to form an oxidized layer on a surface of the article, and removing the oxidized layer (e.g., to smooth the surface of the article). The method can further include relieving stress in the article (e.g., via heating the article after additive manufacturing).

The present invention relates to a method for producing an abrasion-resistant coating on surface of a 3D printed titanium alloy component, which belongs to the field of surface modification. The method comprises using spherical TC4 titanium alloy powder as a base material and adopting selective laser melting (SLM) technology to manufacture a 3D printed titanium alloy component in a layer-by-layer stacking manner, using graphene oxide to perform friction-induction treatment, and making the graphene oxide infiltrate into the surface of the TC4 titanium alloy component to obtain a graphene oxide surface coating. The goal of improving the friction and wear performance of the TC4 titanium alloy printed components is achieved. The preparation method is simple, and the steps are easy to operate. Introducing the graphene oxide is beneficial to reduce the generation of wear debris during the friction and wear processes and improve tribological characteristics of the base material.

The present invention relates to a method for producing an abrasion-resistant coating on surface of a 3D printed titanium alloy component, which belongs to the field of surface modification. The method comprises using spherical TC4 titanium alloy powder as a base material and adopting selective laser melting (SLM) technology to manufacture a 3D printed titanium alloy component in a layer-by-layer stacking manner, using graphene oxide to perform friction-induction treatment, and making the graphene oxide infiltrate into the surface of the TC4 titanium alloy component to obtain a graphene oxide surface coating. The goal of improving the friction and wear performance of the TC4 titanium alloy printed components is achieved. The preparation method is simple, and the steps are easy to operate. Introducing the graphene oxide is beneficial to reduce the generation of wear debris during the friction and wear processes and improve tribological characteristics of the base material.

A method for 3D printing includes printing a first metallic material on a substrate as a support structure (48). A second metallic material, which is less anodic than the first metallic material, is printed on the substrate as a target structure (46), in contact with the support structure. The support structure is chemically removed from the target structure by applying a galvanic effect to selectively corrode the first metallic material.

A method for 3D printing includes printing a first metallic material on a substrate as a support structure (48). A second metallic material, which is less anodic than the first metallic material, is printed on the substrate as a target structure (46), in contact with the support structure. The support structure is chemically removed from the target structure by applying a galvanic effect to selectively corrode the first metallic material.