Massive transformation in dual-laser powder bed fusion of Ti6Al4V alloys

Abstract

In the present investigation, we fabricated additively manufactured Ti6Al4V parts using dual laser-powder bed fusion (DL-PBF) and identified the occurrence of a massive transformation. A detailed and systematic study of the massive transformation in the DL-PBF process by changing the energy and time offset of the lag laser beam and its effect on the microstructural and mechanical properties was undertaken. A mixture of martensite and massive phases was observed within the prior β grains in DL-PBF, and the dimensions of these massive grains increased with an increase in the lag laser beam energy, while acicular α′ martensite was present in the single Laser-PBF. The massive phase showed a featureless patch-shaped region, which consisted of thin laths, and they were associated with the prior β grain boundaries. The irregular patch-shaped regions showed inferior Vickers hardness when compared with acicular α′ martensite, and the ultimate tensile strength was lower in the DL-PBF than in the single Laser-PBF. The columnar prior-β grain was present in all the samples (both in the single- and dual-beam laser) and the dimensions of the grains varied with increasing the lag laser beam energy. These present results showed that the DL-PBF process significantly influenced the microstructural and mechanical properties of the Ti6Al4V materials, and provided a deep insight into massive phase transformation in AM titanium alloys and its effect on the mechanical properties.