Patent attributes
Disclosed is a method of making a part, comprising: forming the part via an additive manufacturing process, wherein the additive manufacturing process comprises layering, melting, and solidifying a metal alloy based on a three dimensional numerical model, wherein the formed part comprises a microstructure, wherein the microstructure comprises an average columnar grain length; and heat treating the formed part, wherein heat treating comprises heating to between 750° C. and 1200° C. for a time between 0.5 hours and 10 hours and then cooling the formed part below 750° C., wherein after heat treating, the formed part has an average columnar grain length of about 400 micrometers to about 1000 micrometers, as measured using electron backscattered diffraction.