From Beam to Bulk: Investigating PBF-LB Low-Alloy Steels at Large-Scale Facilities

Abstract

The rapid and complex thermal history of powder bed fusion - laser beam (PBF-LB) has traditionally made in situ monitoring difficult, resulting in most understanding being derived from ex situ analysis. Today, large-scale facilities—such as synchrotrons and neutron sources—offer unprecedented access to real-time observations during PBF-LB. This talk will demonstrate how these advanced tools make it possible to directly track key phenomena, including phase formation, thermal history, melt pool dynamics, and residual strain evolution during PBF-LB of low-alloy steels.