Microstructure and micro-hardness characterization of EBM fabricated Ti6Al4V samples

Electron beam melting (EBM) is among the modern additive manufacturing processes whereby metal powders are selectively melted to produce very complicated components with superior mechanical properties. In this study, microstructure and micro-hardness of EBM fabricated Ti6Al4V samples were characterized. The resulting microstructure was consisted of primary β phase and basket weave and Widmanstatten type α phase. It was shown that the higher parts of the sample had finer microstructures in comparison with the lower parts. This appeared to be due to distancing from the hot construction platform which rendered less opportunity for the diffusional α+β→β transformation. The Vickers micro-hardness of the samples was measured to be around 337 HV.

Keywords:

Additive manufacturing , Electron Beam Melting , Ti6Al4V , X-ray diffraction