Tailoring the microstructure and mechanical properties of wire arc additively manufactured Ti6Al4V alloy by in-situ microalloying with modified nanocarbon

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Carbon alloying is a validated strategy for enhancing the mechanical properties of titanium alloys prepared by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). However, achieving uniform carbon distribution, particularly nanocarbon, in the melt pool via the brushing method is challenging, which limits the improvement of mechanical properties. In this paper, nanocarbon was modified by nitric acid hydrothermal treatment and added into the Ti64 melt pool during the WAAM. The distribution of modified nanocarbon in the melt pool was characterized, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the nanocarbon-alloyed titanium alloy deposits were studied. The findings revealed that the surface of modified nanocarbon generated oxygen-containing functional groups, which enhanced its dispersion in the melt pool. The addition of 0.1–0.3 wt% modified nanocarbon induced no pores in the deposits compared to unmodified ones. The tensile strength of the deposited alloys was continually enhanced with increasing modified nanocarbon content, while the elongation had a peak value. The Ti64 with 0.1 wt% nanocarbon exhibited a balanced comprehensive performance with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 981 MPa coupled with an elongation of 8 %. The achievement of the balanced mechanical performances was attributed to the refinement of α-Ti and solid solution strengthening of nanocarbon. When 0.3 wt% nanocarbon was added, the UTS increased to 1012 MPa but the elongation sharply decreased to 4.5 % due to the precipitation of TiC.