Work Hardening Work hardening involves strengthening a 3D printed part by plastically deforming it through mechanical stress, enhancing hardness, toughness, and fatigue resistance. It improves impact strength, wear resistance, and dimensional stability. Work hardening is commonly used for metal 3D prints using processes like cold rolling, hammering, or shot peening. Proper stress distribution, deformation control, and annealing prevent cracking, warping, or residual stresses. Advanced simulations optimize work hardening parameters for desired mechanical properties. It expands applications in aerospace, automotive, and engineering for high-performance, durable parts. |