Application of infrared thermography for laser metal-wire additive manufacturing in vacuum

Abstract Infrared (IR) thermography is applied to study the thermal behavior of laser metal-wire additive manufacturing (AM) in vacuum. IR thermal images are obtained and analyzed. Based upon IR thermography analysis, the thermal cycle, remelting and cooling rate in AM process is discussed. In addition, the width of cladding layer is predicted and defect like lack of fusion is detected.