Texture development in direct powder deposition

A simple, versatile, and qualitative guide for the prediction interpretation of texture development in coatings and three dimensional objects formed by direct powder deposition is presented. The texture predictions are based on the direction of crystal growth during solidification based on both existing experimental evidence and theoretical understanding of the role of solid-liquid interface during solidification following laser melting of a material. The predictions are confirmed experimentally by electron back-scatter observations. (C) 2017 Laser Institute of America.