Title: Selective laser melting of titanium alloys: effect of processing parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties

Authors: Ajay Kushwaha; S. Anand Kumar; Rajkumar Velu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT-Jammu, Jammu, 181221, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT-Jammu, Jammu, 181221, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT-Jammu, Jammu, 181221, India

Abstract: Selective laser melting (SLM) technique is a prevalently used additive manufacturing (AM) technology. In this paper, a comprehensive review focusing on the effect of the SLM process parameters on Ti-6Al-4V alloy's mechanical properties and the microstructure in as-built conditions is performed. In this work, the SLM process parameters such as laser power, laser scanning speed, layer thickness, hatch spacing, and scanning strategies are discussed and compared in a detailed manner. The influence of these process parameters on the microstructure and density, which affects the mechanical properties such as yield strength, elongation, and fatigue life of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, have been reported. Finally, a set of optimal processing parameters suitable for Ti6Al4V material amenable for the SLM process technique has arrived.

Keywords: additive manufacturing; SLM; selective laser melting; Ti6Al4V alloy; process parameters; microstructure; mechanical properties.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2021.119156

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2021 Vol.14 No.2, pp.128 - 142

Received: 05 Apr 2021
Accepted: 10 Aug 2021
Published online: 25 Nov 2021 *

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