Laser Deposition of Ti-6Al-4V Wire with WC Powder for Functionally Graded Components

Abstract

In this study, metal matrix ceramic (MMC) functionally graded components are fabricated using a method based upon shape metal deposition. Laser deposition provides a suitable means for metallic coating and surface alloying for many applications. New functionally graded components can be built with surface and bulk properties locally modified. Tailoring to meet location specific demands such as modified tribological, corrosion, and thermal properties is achievable. This article investigates the cladding of Ti-6Al-4V wire and WC powder concurrently fed into the laser generated melt pool on a Ti-6Al-4V substrate. The addition of WC particles promotes its hardness and improves wear resistance. Results obtained showed the micrograph of the functionally graded area coating of Ti-6Al-4V/WC matrix in which WC particles are dissolved resulting in TiC/W two phase nodules. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microhardness characterization is presented for the coating. Fiber laser deposition is demonstrated as a means to produce titanium matrix ceramic composite structures with a demonstrator part is presented. INTRODUCTIONTitanium alloys have found use in petrochemical, chemical, oil and gas, and ground transport industries [1]. This is due to superior high strength to weight, toughness, ductility, fatigue, and corrosion resistance. Ti and its alloys offer about 40% weight saving when used in place of steel [2]. However, Ti alloy has poor tribological characteristics due to high friction coefficients and low hardness [3], which limits its use for applications where sliding or abrasive wear is prevalent. Having reinforcing elements or ceramics in the Ti alloy (forming Ti MMC) could ameliorate the wear shortcomings and also enhances its strength for high temperature applications.Laser cladding is a suitable and cost-effective manufacturing technique which allows deposition of materials which may improve wear, corrosion, and thermal properties. In this process, a laser generated melt pool is steadily fed with the desired materials to form a clad [4]. Repeated clad multipass gives an area coating. Controlled repetition of this process allows the fabrication of 3-dimensional (3D) structures [4] which is the main driver of this work.Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are desirable for various applications which may include wear surfaces, thermal management, and structural stiffness [5]. Various manufacturing processes such as plasma melt injection [6], friction surfacing [7], powder metallurgy [8], and spray deposition technique [9] have been employed in

Functionally graded Ni-Ti microstructures synthesised in process by direct laser metal deposition

“…The average hardness of the Ti-6Al-4V substrate after laser cladding ranged between 355 and 364 HV 0.3 . This is close to the hardness of wrought Ti6Al4V plate (350 HV 0.3 ) as found in the literature [11]. , respectively.…”

Influence of Rapid Solidification on the Thermophysical and Fatigue Properties of Laser Additive Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

“…Farayibi et al [40] studied laser deposition of Ti6Al4V wire with WC powder for functionally graded components. Titanium alloys are used in the chemical, oil and gas, petrochemical, and ground transport industries because of their corrosion and fatigue resistance, high strength to weight ratio, ductility and toughness.…”

An application of differential injection to fabricate functionally graded Ti-Nb alloys using DED-CLAD® process

“…Authors have demonstrated the great metallurgical bonding due the consecutive remelting (Mahamood and Akinlabi, 2015) ; Farayibi et al have demonstrated the feasibility of functionally graded Ti6Al4V wire and WC powder for different powder feed rate of WC. The addition of WC improve hardness and wear resistance (Farayibi et al, 2013) ; Ti-Nb alloys were studied with fixe composition such as Ti-45Nb or Ti-27,5at.%Nb (Fischer et al, 2017; ⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail address: pascal.laheurte@univ-lorraine.fr (P. Laheurte).…”