Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is a rapid prototyping technology based on layer-by-layer welding deposition. It offers quick design implementation, large-scale part production, high efficiency, excellent material utilization, short production cycles, and low costs. BLT, aiming to provide a wider range of manufacturing solutions for complex and large parts, has developed extensive expertise in WAAM technology. Hundreds of diverse parts had been delivered and implemented in engineering applications.
Stainless Steel
Microscopic structure (×100 times under digital microscope)：
 |
 |
Mechanical properties:
17-4
| Solution
+ Age |
Sampling Direction | Tensile Strength/MPa | Yield Strength/MPa | Elongation at Break /% | Section Shrinkage /% |
| H | 1126 | 1085 | 16.0 | 57 | |
| H | 1117 | 1072 | 18.0 | 56 | |
| H | 1126 | 1083 | 16.5 | 44 | |
| S | 1126 | 1080 | 17.0 | 57 | |
| S | 1128 | 1084 | 16.0 | 49 | |
| S | 1118 | 1077 | 16.5 | 54 |
304
| Annealing | Sampling Direction | Tensile Strength/MPa | Yield Strength/MPa | Elongation at Break/% | Section Shrinkage/% |
| H | 784 | 345 | 40.5 | 44 | |
| H | 784 | 342 | 42.0 | 47 | |
| H | 783 | 335 | 42.5 | 49 | |
| S | 743 | 310 | 48.5 | 56 | |
| S | 741 | 313 | 46.5 | 61 | |
| S | 740 | 304 | 46.5 | 58 |
316L
| Annealing | Sampling Direction | Tensile Strength/MPa | Yield Strength/MPa | Elongation at Break/% | Section Shrinkage/% |
| H | 589 | 340 | 41.0 | 55 | |
| H | 580 | 334 | 43.5 | 60 | |
| H | 587 | 332 | 41.5 | 57 | |
| S | 552 | 322 | 52.5 | 61 | |
| S | 560 | 330 | 50.5 | 58 | |
| S | 557 | 333 | 43.0 | 69 |
Compatible systems: BLT-W4000、BLT-W2520、BLT-W2000
Application case: Cabin
Material: 304L stainless steel
Dimension: 360mm×800mm×700mm
Build System: BLT-W2520
Technical Description: The cabin has a complex structure and contains a large number of suspended structures. The traditional method is difficult and time-consuming, failing to meet the client’s needs. BLT responds quickly using WAAM technology to achieve integrated forming of the complex part cast, quickly delivering the cast while ensuring quality and performance.
Aluminum Alloy
Microscopic structure (×100 times under digital microscope)：
 |
 |
Mechanical properties:
205A
| Solution
+ Age |
Sampling Direction | Tensile Strength /MPa | Yield Strength/MPa | Elongation at Break /% | Section Shrinkage /% |
| H | 462 | 397 | 5.0 | / | |
| H | 450 | 372 | 8.0 | / | |
| H | 443 | 360 | 6.0 | / | |
| S | 435 | 362 | 5.0 | / | |
| S | 439 | 371 | 5.5 | / | |
| S | 430 | 369 | 5.0 | / |
114A
| Solution
+ Age |
Sampling Direction | Tensile Strength /MPa | Yield Strength/MPa | Elongation at Break /% | Section Shrinkage /% |
| H | 338 | 281 | 8.0 | / | |
| H | 333 | 279 | 7.0 | / | |
| H | 342 | 283 | 7.0 | / | |
| S | 334 | 280 | 6.5 | / | |
| S | 342 | 285 | 7.0 | / | |
| S | 334 | 284 | 6.0 | / |
5183
| Annealing | Sampling Direction | Tensile Strength /MPa | Yield Strength/MPa | Elongation at Break /% | Section Shrinkage /% |
| H | 295 | 134 | 33.5 | / | |
| H | 295 | 131 | 35.0 | / | |
| H | 294 | 131 | 35.0 | / | |
| S | 292 | 131 | 32.0 | / | |
| S | 292 | 132 | 34.5 | / | |
| S | 292 | 132 | 35.0 | / |
Compatible systems: BLT-W4000、BLT-W2520、BLT-W2000
Application case: Cylinder
Material: 5A06 aluminum alloy
Dimension: φ1075mm×1440mm
Build System: BLT-W2520
Technical Description: The overall structure of the cylinder is conical, with upper and lower flanges. It is traditionally assembled by welding and splicing, which has a long manufacturing cycle and high cost. Based on rich experience in engineering applications, BLT optimizes the technical process, efficiently manufacturing and delivering the part. Currently, BLT has achieved efficient and high-quality production of large aluminum alloy parts using WAAM technology.
At present, BLT WAAM base has a usable area of about 12,000 square meters, with nearly 100 WAAM systems.
- BLT-W4000 build dimension: 2000mm×2000mm×3000mm (W×D×H),
- BLT-W2520 build dimension: 3600mm×3600mm×1500mm (W×D×H)
- BLT-W2000 build dimension: 1000mm×1000mm×2700mm (W×D×H) or 1200mm×1200mm×1500mm (W×D×H)
BLT has helped clients in the fields of aerospace, machinery, and petroleum industry to achieve efficient production of engineering application parts, and the relevant performance tests of parts have passed client inspection at one time.
