Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2011
Abstract
The room temperature tensile properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy prepared under two different processing routes were evaluated and compared. One group of samples was prepared by conventional casting-forging-rolling into flat plates. The other group was prepared by using Triton's Laser Free-Form Fabrication (LF3)(TM) processes, i.e., a laser was used to melt pre-alloyed powders of the required metallic composition as they were dropped onto a moveable substrate programmed to move in such a manner as to form a solid alloy plate. Five populations of Ti-6Al-4V were evaluated: a standard wrought form, an as-deposited form, a machined as-deposited form, a heat-treated as-deposited form, and a machined as-deposited and heat-treated form. The poorest mechanical properties occurred with the rough surfaces, likely due to existing microcracks and stress concentrations. The LF3 (TM) as-deposited material had mechanical properties comparable to, if not higher than, the mechanical properties of the wrought material. Further evaluations of the laser-formed material for complex spacecraft piece parts were warranted, specifically in regards to improving the surface finish of the materials.
Publisher Statement
Copyright 2011 ASM International. This paper was published in Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Volume 20, Issue 2, pp. 203-212 and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of ASM International. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplications of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial pruposes, or modification of the content of this paper are prohibited. Available on publisher's site at http://www.springerlink.com/content/85488380k1050w43/.
Recommended Citation
Alcisto, J., Enriquez, A., Garcia, H., Hinkson, S., Steelman, T., Silverman, E., Valdovino, P., Gigerenzer, H., Foyos, J., Ogren, J., Dorey, J., Karg, K., McDonald, T., and Es-Said, O. S.,2011, "Tensile Properties and Microstructures of Laser-Formed Ti-6Al-4V," Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 20(2), pp. 203-212.
