Giuseppe Casalino

This article discusses recent advancements in the Laser Surface Transformation Hardening (LSTH) process applied to industrial metals. It focuses on examining the microstructure of the metal surface layer and explores different methods of performing LSTH to evaluate mechanical and surface properties. The study also investigates the utilization of various industrial lasers and simulation software for the LSTH process. The careful analysis of heat transfer and temperature control during LSTH aims to prevent the generation of surface defects like micro-cracks and surface melting. Finite element method (FEM) software effectively simulates the LSTH process. The research provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in LSTH, categorized based on different metals and subsequent testing, highlighting its applications in the automotive industry. Electrochemical, wear, and microhardness tests are investigated to assess the potential applications of automotive metals.

In this paper, the authors introduce the reader to the state of the art of Metal Wire Additive Manufacturing (MWAM) and provide a comparison between Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), Wire Laser Additive Manufacturing (WLAM), and Laser Arc Hybrid Wire Deposition (LAHWD) based on their characteristics and potential future applications, since MWAM is expected to have a promising future in various areas, such as aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and energy fields. A detailed discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of each Metal Wire Additive Manufacturing process can help to improve our understanding of the unique characteristics of metal wire application. Therefore, this paper offers a comprehensive analysis that can serve as a reference for upcoming industrial projects and research initiatives, with the aim of helping industries choose the most appropriate WAM technique for their specific applications.