In this paper, Ti6Al4V+3 wt.% TiB2 composite powder was used as a raw
material to synthesize TiB whiskers in situ and prepare composites
reinforced with TiB/Ti6Al4V whiskers by selective laser melting (SLM). The
effects of process parameters on the properties of TiB/Ti6Al4V samples were
systematically studied. The evolution of the microstructure, including the
formation and regulation of whiskers, and the effects on mechanical
properties were discussed. The results showed that during the SLM process,
adjusting the energy density effectively inhibited cracking in the
TiB/Ti6Al4V samples. The TiB2 particles acted as nucleation centers to
significantly refine the grains during processing and reacted with elemental
Ti to form a needle-like TiB network at the grain boundaries, which
strengthened the whiskers. Additionally, TiB played a role in dispersion
strengthening. Compared with Ti6Al4V, the microhardness of TiB/Ti6Al4V was
430.6?11.45 HV, an increase of 27.9%, and the wear volume of the sample was
0.85?10-3 mm3, a decrease of 62.64%.