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Microstructural Characterization of a Prototype Titanium Alloy Structure Processed via Direct Laser Deposition (DLD)

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Abstract

Processing trials have produced a three-dimensional, thin-walled structure of representative aerospace component geometry, fabricated directly by laser melting of Ti 6Al4V powder. This additive-built form has been subjected to metallographic characterization. The fabrication technique is evaluated as an economic, commercial process that can add features such as bosses or flanges as a hybrid-manufacturing route for existing forms of gas turbine components. The samples were extracted from six locations with different wall thickness, varying forms, and intersecting ligament geometries. A fine-scale Widmanstätten colony microstructure was consistent throughout the structure within grains elongated parallel to the axis of epitaxy. Evidence of limited grain boundary α was detected; however, this was never continuous around individual grains. A moderate Burgers texture was measured employing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), which is consistent with the melt/cast titanium alloy forms cooling through the β transus.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial and technical support of Rolls-Royce plc in the production of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rolls-Royce plc, Derby, DE24 8BJ, United Kingdom

    Daniel Clark (Specialist Welding Engineer)

  2. Materials Research Centre, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom

    Mark T. Whittaker (RCUK Research Fellow) & Martin R. Bache (Professor)

Authors
  1. Daniel Clark
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  2. Mark T. Whittaker
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  3. Martin R. Bache
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark T. Whittaker.

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Manuscript submitted July 12, 2011.

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Clark, D., Whittaker, M.T. & Bache, M.R. Microstructural Characterization of a Prototype Titanium Alloy Structure Processed via Direct Laser Deposition (DLD). Metall Mater Trans B 43, 388–396 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-011-9599-x

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