Metal Additive Manufacturing Conference 2018

Metal additive manufacturing (Metal AM) is a promising technology that can radically disrupt the conventional supply chain methodologies with a "make to order" approach for components in all sizes. This technology promises to disrupt conventional supply chain models without compromising on complexity in part design. Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Wire+Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) are two of the growing technologies that cover the wide spectrum of part sizes in Oil & Gas sector. The technology is starting to be validated for standardization and repeatability of the material properties, especially corrosion performance in the harsh environments typically seen in oil & gas production. Nickel-based alloys in particular are a noteworthy intersection of AM industry and Oil & Gas sector, given the high cost of such corrosion-resisting alloys and their wide applicability. This paper will present material properties and sour service performance of two different nickel-based alloys. Orientation of the specimen layer build-up pattern to the build plate, and its effect on mechanical and corrosion performance of the parts in NACE environmental testing will be discussed. The paper also discusses a potential case study and adaptation of the PBF AM technology into Oil & Gas industry.