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Article
Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Ti-6Al-4V Parts made by Selective Laser Melting and Electron Beam Melting
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance (2013)
  • H. K. Rafi, University of Louisville
  • N. V. Karthik, University of Louisville
  • Haijun Gong, Georgia Southern University
  • Thomas Starr, University of Louisville
  • Brent Stucker, University of Louisville
Abstract
This work compares two metal additive manufacturing processes, selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM), based on microstructural and mechanical property evaluation of Ti6Al4V parts produced by these two processes. Tensile and fatigue bars conforming to ASTM standards were fabricated using Ti6Al4V ELI grade material. Microstructural evolution was studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Tensile and fatigue tests were carried out to understand mechanical properties and to correlate them with the corresponding microstructure. The results show differences in microstructural evolution between SLM and EBM processed Ti6Al4V and their influence on mechanical properties. The microstructure of SLM processed parts were composed of an α′ martensitic phase, whereas the EBM processed parts contain primarily α and a small amount of β phase. Consequently, there are differences in tensile and fatigue properties between SLM- and EBM-produced Ti6Al4V parts. The differences are related to the cooling rates experienced as a consequence of the processing conditions associated with SLM and EBM processes.
Keywords
  • Microstructures,
  • Mechanical properties,
  • Ti-6Al-4V parts,
  • Selective laser melting,
  • Electron beam melting
Disciplines
Publication Date
December 1, 2013
DOI
10.1007/s11665-013-0658-0
Citation Information
H. K. Rafi, N. V. Karthik, Haijun Gong, Thomas Starr, et al.. "Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Ti-6Al-4V Parts made by Selective Laser Melting and Electron Beam Melting" Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Vol. 22 Iss. 12 (2013) p. 3872 - 3883 ISSN: 1544-1024
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/haijun-gong/15/