Microstructural Characteristics and Material Failure Mechanism of SLM Ti-6Al-4V-Zn Alloy

Materials (Basel). 2023 Nov 25;16(23):7341. doi: 10.3390/ma16237341.

Abstract

This study focuses on the additive manufacturing technique of selective laser melting (SLM) to produce Ti-6Al-4V-Zn titanium alloy. The addition of zinc at 0.3 wt.% was investigated to improve the strength and ductility of SLM Ti-6Al-4V alloys. The microstructure and mechanical properties were analyzed using different vacuum heat treatment processes, with the 800-4-FC specimen exhibiting the most favorable overall mechanical properties. Additionally, zinc serves as a stabilizing element for the β phase, enhancing the resistance to particle erosion and corrosion impedance of Ti-6Al-4V-Zn alloy. Furthermore, the incorporation of trace amounts of Zn imparts improved impact toughness and stabilized high-temperature tensile mechanical properties to SLM Ti-6Al-4V-Zn alloy. The data obtained serve as valuable references for the application of SLM-64Ti.

Keywords: 3D printing; Ti-6Al-4V; mechanical properties; oxidation; particle erosion; phase transformation; selective laser melting (SLM).

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.