Controlling Crystallographic Texture and Thermomechanical Properties of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy through Laser Powder Bed Fusion Technique

Abstract

In this work, the authors introduce an approach in additive manufacturing that enables control of the crystallographic texture through controlling the build orientation in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) method. The LPBF parameters play a key role in tailoring the microstructure of the as-fabricated parts. The proposed approach provides the capability of altering/enhancing the properties of the as-printed NiTi shape memory alloys by controlling the texture. The anisotropy may not be preferred for applications with complex and multi-axial loading regimes; however, the approach can be suitable for application with the main loading direction such as torque tube actuators.

Innovative Fabrication Design for In Situ Martensite Decomposition and Enhanced Mechanical Properties in Laser Powder Bed Fused Ti6Al4V Alloy

“…To address these challenges, Additive Manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a promising solution, allowing for the fabrication of near-net-shaped components using materials like Ti64 while still maintaining superior or comparable strength levels [23,24]. Among the AM techniques, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) is particularly suitable for manufacturing complex 3D geometries requiring precision and has been extensively utilized for producing a variety of metallic materials [25][26][27][28][29], with Ti64 being a popular candidate [30][31][32][33][34]. LPBF has the capability to produce Ti64 components that exhibit a wide range of distinct crystallographic phases and microstructures, resulting in a more efficient and productive manufacturing process [22].…”