Gülenç, İT., Bai, M., Mitchell, R.L. et al. (2 more authors) (2024) In situ TiC reinforced Ti6Al4V matrix composites manufactured via selective laser melting. Rapid Prototyping Journal, 30 (2). ISSN 1355-2546
Abstract
Purpose
Current methods for the preparation of composite powder feedstock for selective laser melting (SLM) rely on costly nanoparticles or yield inconsistent powder morphology. This study aims to develop a cost-effective Ti6Al4V-carbon feedstock, which preserves the parent Ti6Al4V particle’s flowability, and produces in situ TiC-reinforced Ti6Al4V composites with superior traits.
Design/methodology/approach
Ti6Al4V particles were directly mixed with graphite flakes in a planetary ball mill. This composite powder feedstock was used to manufacture in situ TiC-Ti6Al4V composites using various energy densities. Relative porosity, microstructure and hardness of the composites were evaluated for different SLM processing parameters.
Findings
Homogeneously carbon-coated Ti6Al4V particles were produced by direct mixing. After SLM processing, in situ grown 100–500 nm size TiC nanoparticles were distributed within the α-martensite Ti6Al4V matrix. The formation of TiC particles refines the Ti6Al4V β grain size. Relative density varied between 96.4% and 99.5% depending on the processing parameters. Hatch distance, exposure time and point distance were all effective on relative porosity change, whereas only exposure time and point distance were effective on hardness change.
Originality/value
This work introduces a novel, cost-effective powder feedstock preparation method for SLM manufacture of Ti6Al4V-TiC composites. The in situ SLM composites achieved in this study have high relative density values, well-dispersed TiC nanoparticles and increased hardness. In addition, the feedstock preparation method can be readily adapted for various matrix and reinforcement materials in future studies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Rapid Prototyping Journal. This version is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. You may not use the material for commercial purposes. |
Keywords: | Selective laser melting; TiC; Ti6Al4V; In situ; TMCs |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Materials Science and Engineering (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/T006390/1 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/R001766/1 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/P006566/1 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/R00661X/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 26 Jan 2024 15:56 |
Last Modified: | 01 Nov 2024 16:10 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/rpj-01-2023-0027 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:208349 |