A method of producing a microstructure of a high-alloy steel includes heating the metal stock to a temperature between 1270° C. and 1280° C., at a rate between 40° C./s and 45° C./s, followed by compression applied to the metal stock in a thixotropic process, after which the stock is cooled to ambient temperature. A microstructure is also shown, which includes undissolved metal carbides in the form of globular particles of austenite microstructure and of martensite microstructure.

A method of producing a microstructure of a high-alloy steel includes heating the metal stock to a temperature between 1270° C. and 1280° C., at a rate between 40° C./s and 45° C./s, followed by compression applied to the metal stock in a thixotropic process, after which the stock is cooled to ambient temperature. A microstructure is also shown, which includes undissolved metal carbides in the form of globular particles of austenite microstructure and of martensite microstructure.

A system (2) is provided with a temperature controlled chamber (4) having a wall (6) extending about a space (8) to receive a three-dimensional printed job. A plurality of temperature control elements (10,12) are mounted to the wall, wherein each of the temperature control elements is operable separately from each other of the temperature control elements. A controller (14) operates the plurality of temperature control elements, each of which is selectively operable by the controller in dependence upon parameters of a three-dimensional printed job to be temperature controlled within the chamber.

A system (2) is provided with a temperature controlled chamber (4) having a wall (6) extending about a space (8) to receive a three-dimensional printed job. A plurality of temperature control elements (10,12) are mounted to the wall, wherein each of the temperature control elements is operable separately from each other of the temperature control elements. A controller (14) operates the plurality of temperature control elements, each of which is selectively operable by the controller in dependence upon parameters of a three-dimensional printed job to be temperature controlled within the chamber.

A method of printing a three dimensional article (201) can include forming a bottom layer of the three dimensional article (201) by spraying a dry build material powder (210) onto a build platform (230) while heating the dry build material powder (210). The dry build material powder (210) can include metal or ceramic particles mixed with a polymeric binder having a softening point temperature. The dry build material powder (210) can be heated to a temperature above the softening point temperature such that the dry build material powder (210) adheres to the build platform (230). Subsequent layers can be formed by spraying dry build material powder (210) onto a lower layer while heating the dry build material powder (210) such that the dry build material powder (210) adheres to the lower layer.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to forming a three-dimensional (3D) structure by depositing an alloy composition on a target, and solidifying portions of the alloy composition to form the 3D structure. The solidifying includes producing a martensitic structure by destabilizing a ferrite phase of the alloy composition while solidifying the alloy composition.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to forming a three-dimensional (3D) structure by depositing an alloy composition on a target, and solidifying portions of the alloy composition to form the 3D structure. The solidifying includes producing a martensitic structure by destabilizing a ferrite phase of the alloy composition while solidifying the alloy composition.

The lamination molding apparatus includes an irradiator, a processing device, a cooling device, and an inert gas supply source. The irradiator irradiates a laser beam or an electron beam to a material layer to form a solidified layer. The processing device includes a processing head for holding a tool, and a processing head driver for moving the processing head in at least a horizontal direction. The cooling device is arranged in the processing head and cools a solidified body formed by laminating the solidified layers to a cooling temperature. The cooling device includes a cold gas discharger having a cold gas discharge port for discharging a cold gas being an inert gas having a temperature equal to or lower than the cooling temperature, and discharging the cold gas toward the solidified body. The inert gas supply source supplies the inert gas to the cold gas discharger.

The disclosure relates to a method for preparing Ti(C,N)-based superhard metal composite materials, with Ti(C,N) powder and (W,Mo,Ta)(C,N) powder as main raw materials and Co powder as binding phase for preparation, thereby obtaining a material in which a microstructure is a double-core rim structure that has both a black core rim and a white core rim. The material has a complete and evenly distributed double-core rim structure. In the condition that the ensured hardness of the material is not reduced and even slightly increased, the toughness of the material is significantly improved, wherein the fracture toughness of the material is in the range of 11.3 to 12.5 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2.

The disclosure relates to a method for preparing Ti(C,N)-based superhard metal composite materials, with Ti(C,N) powder and (W,Mo,Ta)(C,N) powder as main raw materials and Co powder as binding phase for preparation, thereby obtaining a material in which a microstructure is a double-core rim structure that has both a black core rim and a white core rim. The material has a complete and evenly distributed double-core rim structure. In the condition that the ensured hardness of the material is not reduced and even slightly increased, the toughness of the material is significantly improved, wherein the fracture toughness of the material is in the range of 11.3 to 12.5 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2.