Effect of Powder Recycling on the Organization and Mechanical Properties of GH4169 Alloy by Laser Metal Deposition

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to prepare GH4 169 alloy specimens by laser metal deposition, by investigating the changes in powder morphology, powder particle size, and elemental content during the cycling process. As well as the pore defects and microstructure of deposited samples prepared from recycled powder, we analyzed the changes in powder properties during the cycling process and the effects of using recycled powder on the organization and properties of LMD-deposited specimens. It was shown that the average particle size of the powder increased with the increase in the size of powder recycling, from 59.861 µm in the original powder to 64.144 µm after four cycles, with the phenomenon of powder burnout and satellite ball. The elemental content of the powder changed with the increase in the number of cycles, among which the elemental content of Nb increased significantly from 4.31 wt% of the original powder to 7.97 wt% after four cycles, the proportion of Laves phase in the deposited samples increased, the porosity and pore size increased, the tensile strength of the specimen decreased from 1046 MPa of the original powder to 936 MPa, the tensile strength decreased by 10.5%, and the elongation was increased to 27% from 11% of the original powder. Powder recycling can lead to powder aging and reduce the mechanical properties of the laser metal deposited formed parts.