Advancements in Vacuum Heat Treatment for Additive Manufacturing: Applications and Standards in Aerospace

Advancements in Vacuum Heat Treatment for Additive Manufacturing: Applications and Standards in Aerospace With the rapid adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies such as Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED), vacuum heat treatment plays a crucial role in optimizing material properties. Depending on the alloy, manufacturing technique, and application, various vacuum heat treatments can be applied to enhance the performance of metal components fabricated through AM. The unique microstructures of components produced via metal AM often require a specific set of heat treatment parameters that may differ from those typically applied to conventionally manufactured parts. This presents new challenges in terms of certification and standardization for the post-processing of additive manufacturing parts. This paper explores the application of vacuum heat treatment for metal components produced through additive manufacturing, with a focus on the current status of specific standards for thermal post-processing of AM parts. It particularly highlights AMS standards and other relevant standards in the aerospace industry, while also providing case studies and examples to illustrate their practical application.