J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2021, Vol. 61: 221-233.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2020.05.052

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Microstructural homogeneity and mechanical behavior of a selective laser melted Ti-35Nb alloy produced from an elemental powder mixture

Jincheng Wanga,b, Yujing Liub, Chirag Dhirajlal Rabadiaa, Shun-Xing Lianga, Timothy Barry Sercombeb,*(), Lai-Chang Zhanga,*()   

  1. aSchool of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
    bSchool of Engineering, M050, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
  • Received:2020-04-06 Revised:2020-05-11 Accepted:2020-05-23 Published:2021-01-20 Online:2021-01-20
  • Contact: Timothy Barry Sercombe,Lai-Chang Zhang

Abstract:

Although using elemental powder mixtures may provide broad alloy selection at low cost for selective laser melting (SLM), there is still a concern on the resultant microstructural and chemical homogeneity of the produced parts. Hence, this work investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of a SLM-produced Ti-35Nb composite (in wt%) using elemental powder. The microstructural characteristics including β phase, undissolved Nb particles and chemical homogeneity were detailed investigated. Nanoindentation revealed the presence of relatively soft undissolved Nb particles and weak interface bonding around Nb-rich regions in as-SLMed samples. Solid-solution treatment can not only improve chemical homogeneity but also enhance bonding through grain boundary strengthening, resulting in ~43 % increase in tensile elongation for the heat-treated Ti-35Nb compared to the as-SLMed counterpart. The analyses of tensile fractures and shear bands further confirmed the correlation between the different phases and the ductility of Ti-35Nb. In particular, the weak bonding between undissolved Nb and the matrix in the as-SLMed sample reduces its ductility while the β grains in solid-solution treated Ti-Nb alloy can induce a relatively stable plastic flow therefore better ductility. This work sheds insight into the understanding of homogenization of microstructure and phases of SLM-produced alloys from an elemental powder mixture.

Key words: Titanium-niobium, Selective laser melting, Microstructure, Nanoindentation, Mechanical behavior