Thermal stresses are the internal forces generated within a material due to temperature changes that cause it to expand or contract. When a material is subjected to rapid heating or cooling, different parts of it may expand or contract at different rates, leading to stress concentrations that can affect the structural integrity and performance of the component. Understanding thermal stresses is crucial for optimizing processes like directed energy deposition, where heat input and cooling rates play significant roles in determining the mechanical properties of the deposited material.
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