To investigate the formation mechanism for differences in microstructure and properties of components fabricated via different wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) processes, maraging steel components were fabricated using plasma arc additive manufacturing (PAAM) and cold metal transfer (CMT)−based additive manufacturing. Their microstructures and mechanical properties were then systematically characterized and compared. The continuous and intense impingement of the plasma arc on the molten pool produced significantly finer grains, with an average grain size of 3.51 μm, whereas the average grain size of CMT−fabricated components was 9.84 μm. Additionally, the higher heat input and lower cooling rate during the PAAM process facilitated precipitation of a greater number of reinforcing phases within the matrix. Under the synergistic effect grain refinement strengthening and second−phase strengthening, PAAM components demonstrated superior mechanical properties: specifically, the tensile strengths in the horizontal and vertical directions were 1367.7 MPa and 1360.3 MPa, accompanied by elongations of 15.2% and 14.4%, respectively. In contrast, the CMT−fabricated samples exhibited tensile strengths of 1149.1 MPa (horizontal) and 1063.4 MPa (vertical), with corresponding elongations of 20.1% and 17.8%. Notably, while CMT−fabricated components displayed significant mechanical anisotropy, PAAM components exhibited a tendency toward mechanical isotropy. This phenomenon is attributed to two key factors: first, the extremely high heat input of PAAM ensured more adequate interlayer fusion; second, the recovery and recrystallization processes induced by the prolonged high−temperature state mitigated the preferred orientation of the microstructure, consequently alleviating mechanical anisotropy.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |