Microstructure evolution and mechanical response-based shortening of thermal post-treatment for electron beam melting (EBM) produced Alloy 718

Electron beam melted (EBM) Alloy 718 underwent post-treatments involving hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) and heat treatment (HT). HIPing at 1120°C resulted in significant densification, while microstructure evolution during HT suggested the potential to shorten the process duration. Two-step aging could possibly be reduced from the standard long cycle to a shorter one (4 h + 1 h). Integrating HIPing with HT inside the HIP vessel was also successful. Tensile behavior was primarily affected by aging treatment. Shortening HIPing duration and eliminating solution treatment may further streamline the post-treatment process. Heat treatment following HIPing was crucial for enhancing fatigue life, as solely HT, regardless of cycle length, yielded inferior fatigue response in EBM Alloy 718.