Forming Process during Electron Beam Surfi-Sculpt^TM on Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

Abstract

Electron beam Surfi-SculptTM is a novel surface treatment technique applied to produce high level performance Composite-Metal-Weld (ComeldTM) joints. Investigation on forming process during electron beam Surfi-SculptTM on Ti-6Al-4V alloy showed protrusions were formed via a layer-by-layer mode like additive manufacturing process. The near-surface region of electron beam Surfi-Sculpted Ti-6Al-4V alloy was occupied by fusion zone, heat-affected zone and base metal from the outermost surface to the underlying bulk alloy. The microstructure of fusion zone was characterized by a high density of fine acicular martensite phase, leading to a higher micro-hardness. A heat-affected zone was sandwiched between fusion zone and the underlying base metal, with different microstructural features compared to both fusion zone and the base metal.