Microstructure and Mechanical Tensile Properties of a VT6 Alloy Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting

Abstract

The microstructure and tensile properties of a material manufactured from the VT6 titanium alloy by the method of selective laser melting (SLM) are investigated. In the initial state, the microstructure of the SLMmaterial consists of columnar β-grains elongated in the direction of heat sink, which were transformed during cooling into the acicular martensite α′-phase. A heat treatment, including two-stage annealing at 900 and 700°С, transfers the microstructure into equilibrium, two-phase state, with the elongation of β-grains being retained. Mechanical tensile tests were performed in the direction normal to the layer packing formed during SLM. It is found that strength properties of the workpiece manufactured by the SLM process are similar to those of the VT6 alloy manufactured by conventional casting, while its room-temperature ductility is noticeably higher. Deformation-relief studies of the specimen surface demonstrated that the layers formed during SLM affect neither the development of deformation nor fracture of the material.