Mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V additively manufactured by electron beam melting

The application of additively manufactured titanium components is attractive due to a number of potential benefits. The high freedom of design enables the fabrication of structurally optimized, lightweight parts. Complex geometries may serve additional functions. The widespread use of additive manufacturing could revolutionize logistics by dramatically reducing lead time and allowing customized production. Manufacturing near net shape parts reduces scrap of expensive material. Together with the economy of scale this is bound to reduce part costs. Especially for the application in safety relevant parts certainty about static and fatigue strength is critical. A challenge arises from complex influences of built parameters, heat treatments and surface quality. Ti-6Al-4V specimen built by electron beam melting (EBM) were subjected to heat treatments adapted to various employment scenarios. The results of tensile and fatigue testing as well as crack propagation will be compared to conventionally manufactured titanium. The mechanical behavior will be correlated to the microstructural evolution caused by the heat treatments.