Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V manufactured by electron beam melting process

Abstract

Electron beam melting (EBM) is a powder based additive manufacturing technology used to produce parts with high geometrical complexity directly from a three-dimensional computer aided design model. It is one of the most promising methods of additive manufacturing for a wide range of industrial applications, especially the medical implant and aerospace industries. This paper presents the microstructures and mechanical behaviour of as fabricated and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) processed parts, which are made by an Arcam A1 EBM system. The biocompatible titanium alloy Ti6Al4V was used as the material for the specimens. Characterisation of the parts after manufacturing and after tensile and fatigue tests was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties, including tensile stress–strain, Vickers microhardness (HV), surface roughness and fatigue cycles, have been measured and compared with similar literature relevant to EBM made Ti6Al4V parts. The results highlight the advantage and disadvantage of HIP processing on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the EBM made parts.