Tensile properties and microstructure of direct metal laser-sintered TI6AL4V (ElI) alloy

Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an additive manufacturing technology used to melt metal powder by high laser power to produce customised parts, light-weight structures, or other complex objects. During DMLS, powder is melted and solidified track-by-track and layer-by-layer; thus, building direction can influence the mechanical properties of DMLS parts. The mechanical properties and microstructure of material produced by DMLS can depend on the powder properties, process parameters, scanning strategy, and building geometry. In this study, the microstructure, tensile properties, and porosity of DMLS Ti6Al4V (ELI) horizontal samples were analysed. Defect analysis by CT scans in pre-strained samples was used to detect the crack formation mechanism during tensile testing of as-built and heat-treated samples. The mechanical properties of the samples before and after stress relieving are discussed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Direkte lasermetaalsintering is ʼn toevoegingsvervaardigingtegniek wat gebruik word om metaalpoeier met ʼn hoë drywing laser te smelt. So word doelgemaakte onderdele, ligte strukture of ander ingewikkelde voorwerpe geproduseer. Metaal poeier word gesmelt en gestol op ʼn baan-vir-baan, laag-vir-laag wyse. Die bou rigting kan dus die meganiese eienskappe van die onderdeel beïnvloed. Die meganiese eienskappe en mikrostruktuur van materiaal wat met direkte lasermetaalsintering geproduseer word hang onder andere van die poeier eienskappe, die proses parameters, skandeer strategie en bou geometrie af. Die mikrostruktuur, trekeienskappe en poreusheid van direkte lasermetaalgesinterde Ti6Al4V horisontale monsters is analiseer. ʼn Defekanalise met behulp van CT-skanderings in die vooraf vervormde monsters is gebruik om die kraakvormingsmeganisme tydens die trektoetse te bepaal. Onbehandelde en hittebehandelde monsters is getoets. Die meganiese eienskappe van die monsters word in detail bespreek.
Description
CITATION: Moletsane, M. G., et al. 2016. Tensile properties and microstructure of direct metal laser-sintered TI6AL4V (ElI) alloy. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 27(3):110-121, doi:10.7166/27-3-1667.
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Direct metal laser sintering, Sintering, Powder metallurgy, Biocompatible materials, Titanium alloys
Citation
Moletsane, M. G., et al. 2016. Tensile properties and microstructure of direct metal laser-sintered TI6AL4V (ElI) alloy. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 27(3):110-121, doi:10.7166/27-3-1667