Post-processing influence on additively produced Ti–6Al–4V alloy structure and mechanical properties

Abstract

This article studies the formation of microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy manufactured by direct laser deposition (DLD) as a result of post-processing. Heat treatment, hot rolling and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) of additively produced material as well as different combinations of these methods were carried out as part of the investigation. It was determined that material density increased as an average of 0.05% as a result of post-processing. Specimen's microstructure changed subtly upon post-processing, however, HIP of specimens caused widmanstatten structure decomposition and resulted in the most intense material strength deterioration. Post-processing including plastic deformation causes a decrease in material tensile strength at an average of 3% and an increase in elongation by almost 2 times.