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Influence of Powder Characteristics on Formation of Porosity in Additive Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V Components

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Abstract

This paper aims to study the genesis of defects in titanium components made through two different additive manufacturing technologies: selective laser melting and electron beam melting. In particular, we focussed on the influence of the powders used on the formation of porosities and cavities in the manufactured components. A detailed experimental campaign was carried out to characterize the components made through the two additive manufacturing techniques aforementioned and the powders used in the process. It was found that some defects of the final components can be attributed to internal porosities of the powders used in the manufacturing process. These internal porosities are a consequence of the gas atomization process used for the production of the powders themselves. Therefore, the importance of using tailored powders, free from porosities, in order to manufacture components with high mechanical properties is highlighted.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are gratefully to Dr. Antonella Scherillo (STFC-ISIS Facility, RAL, OX11 0Q, Didcot, UK) for her precious support in the interpretation and discussion of the results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ala Corporation, ALA S.p.A., Viale A. Gramsci 16, 80122, Naples, Italy

    Maurizio Iebba, Daniela Mistretta & Ivano Colonna

  2. Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, P.le Tecchio 80, Naples, Italy

    Antonello Astarita, Mariacira Liberini, Fabio Scherillo & Antonino Squillace

  3. CIRA - Italian Aerospace Research Centre, Via Maiorise snc, Capua, Italy

    Carmine Pirozzi, Rosario Borrelli & Stefania Franchitti

Authors
  1. Maurizio Iebba
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  2. Antonello Astarita
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  3. Daniela Mistretta
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  4. Ivano Colonna
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  5. Mariacira Liberini
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  6. Fabio Scherillo
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  7. Carmine Pirozzi
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  9. Stefania Franchitti
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  10. Antonino Squillace
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Correspondence to Antonello Astarita.

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Iebba, M., Astarita, A., Mistretta, D. et al. Influence of Powder Characteristics on Formation of Porosity in Additive Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V Components. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 26, 4138–4147 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2796-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2796-2

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