Data related to influence of process parameters on the microstructure, structural and mechanical properties of additive manufactured titanium alloy composites

Abstract

Instead of tampering with the whole microstructure of titanium alloy base structure, direct laser metal deposition (DLMD) method can be used to target and solve a particular problem. This will result in extended application of titanium alloy. The enhancement of titanium alloy service life span can be done by fabricating composite coatings on titanium alloy. Additive manufacturing technique has been used over the years to repair and extend components’ life span. Experimental procedure was done at the National Laser Center, CSIR, South Africa with Ytterbium Laser System inbuilt with 3000 W for the quaternary coatings. Materials characterization was done according to the standard procedure. The stable beta phase in the copper reinforcement is very strong and this phase is propagated during the direct laser metal deposition process. The initiation and propagation of phases of beta-titanium structures (β-Ti) was due to the reaction in the molten pool of reinforcement copper and titanium alloy base. Also, aluminium-copper structures formed and brought up dendritic grain propagation as a result of feed rate of the reinforcement power, laser power and scanning velocity increase. The significant role played by the aluminium reinforcement in the lattice structures led to the titanium-aluminides (TiAl) propagation. The visibility of the dendritic phases as seen in the microstructures came about as aluminium reinforcement reacts with copper in the matrix as the molten pool solidifies. The properties were enhanced as a result of optimized process parameters.