Laser consolidation of Ti-6Al-4V alloy for the manufacturing of net-shape functional components

Abstract

Laser consolidation is an emerging novel computer-aided manufacturing process that produces net-shape functional parts layer by layer directly from a CAD model by using a laser beam to melt the injected powder and re-solidifying it on the previous pass. As an alternative to the conventional machining process, this novel manufacturing process builds complete net-shape functional parts or features on an existing part by adding instead of removing material. Ti-6Al-4V alloy is widely used in the aerospace, medical and other industries. In this work, functional properties of laser consolidated Ti-6Al-4V have been investigated. The laser consolidated Ti-6Al-4V material is metallurgically sound and free of cracks and porosity. The components built by the laser consolidated Ti-6Al-4V show good surface finish and dimensional accuracy. The mechanical properties of laser-consolidated Ti-6Al-4V samples are evaluated. The microstructure is analyzed in details using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Composition of the laser-consolidated Ti-6Al-4V material is also analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).Laser consolidation is an emerging novel computer-aided manufacturing process that produces net-shape functional parts layer by layer directly from a CAD model by using a laser beam to melt the injected powder and re-solidifying it on the previous pass. As an alternative to the conventional machining process, this novel manufacturing process builds complete net-shape functional parts or features on an existing part by adding instead of removing material. Ti-6Al-4V alloy is widely used in the aerospace, medical and other industries. In this work, functional properties of laser consolidated Ti-6Al-4V have been investigated. The laser consolidated Ti-6Al-4V material is metallurgically sound and free of cracks and porosity. The components built by the laser consolidated Ti-6Al-4V show good surface finish and dimensional accuracy. The mechanical properties of laser-consolidated Ti-6Al-4V samples are evaluated. The microstructure is analyzed in details using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM...