In this article, the authors discuss the results of studies into the processing of Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe near-β titanium alloy (Ti-55511) by electron beam melting (EBM), an additive manufacturing technique. Due to its high flexibility in shaping mechanical properties, Ti-55511 alloy is commonly used in aircraft components such as landing gear or airframes. In this study, Ti-55511 powder was used and its properties were described as regards chemical composition and particle size distribution in order to assess its suitability for EBM processing and repeatability of results. 20 sets of processing parameters were tested in the energy input range between 10 J/mm3 and 50 J/mm3 (cathode current, 4.5 mA-19.5 mA; scanning speed, 1080 mm/s–23400 mm/s). Four types of top surfaces were obtained, namely, flat, orange peel, with single pores, and with swelling. Best results were obtained for the energy of 30 J/mm3: flat top surface and relative density in excess of 99.9%. Analysis of chemical composition showed that aluminum loss was below the specification minimum for the analyzed parameter sets. Scanning speed most significantly affected aluminum content: the lower the scanning speed, the higher the aluminum loss. Analysis of microstructures showed the dependence of lamellar α-phase volume fraction on the process parameters used. For low scanning speed, the determined α-phase volume accounted for about 78%. Higher scanning speed resulted in a decrease of the α-phase content to 61%. The dimensions of the lamellas and the amount of the α-phase strongly effected hardness results (360 HV to 430 HV).
Owing to the possibility of direct processing of CAD models into three-dimensional objects, additive manufacturing (AM) is widely used in the production of individualized bone scaffolds that can lead to perfect restoration of anatomical structures of missing bone tissues. In this work, one of the AM technologies was applied, referred to as Electron Beam Melting (EBM), using Ti6Al4V ELI alloy to produce open-cell structures. Scaffold architecture influences its mechanical properties and is important from the point of view of biological considerations. To optimize mechanical properties, designed geometries were subjected to Finite Element Method analysis and experimental static compression tests. Also, geometric CT analysis of manufactured scaffolds was carried out (geometry deviations up to ± 300 µm). Obtained results have shown that AM can be used to produce Ti6Al4V ELI alloy scaffolds displaying mechanical parameters similar to those of bone tissue (E = 0.45-2.88 MPa). The EBM process affects the microstructure and macrostructural properties of manufactured parts, e.g., through internal porosities present in the material by to unmelted powder particles (internal porosity in range of 1.25-2.25%). To assess the quality and suitability of additively manufactured implants, a multidimensional verification of the impact of the manufacturing process on the properties of the final product was performed.
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