In-situ synthesis of TiC/Ti-6Al-4V-ELI composite by laser

Abstract

Titanium-based alloys are reported to offer up to 50% strength to weight ratio. These lands titanium-based alloys as a preferred material over steel and nickel-base super-alloys, where strength and stiffness are required. Regardless titanium-based alloys are prone to losing strength and stiffness at elevated temperature applications such as jet engines. This prompted a need for titanium matrix to be braced with a material with superior properties, such as ceramic. In-situ synthesis with laser metal deposition (LMD) of Ti-6Al-4V-ELI braced with discontinuous particulates of TiC resulted in improved hardness and microstructure. It is reported that an increase in the feed rate of TiC during the LMD process directly increases the hardness of the TiC/Ti-6Al-4V-ELI composite and refine the grain size of Ti-6Al4V-ELI. Various fabrication methods and properties of Ti-6Al-4V are well documented in the literature. This paper focuses on the effect of TiC on the microstructure and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V-ELI.