Title: Properties of Ti64 alloy made by non-conventional casting method

Authors: M. Zitnansky, C. Fruth, P. Ohldin, L. Caplovic, P. Zubor

Addresses: Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, 23 J. Bottu, Trnava, Slovakia. ' FIT Fruth innovative Technologien GmbH, Gewerbegebiet Eichenbuhl 10, D-92331 Lupburg, Germany. ' ARCAM AB, Krokslatts Fabriker 30, SE-431 37 Molndal, Sweden. ' Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, 23 J. Bottu, Trnava, Slovakia. ' Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava

Abstract: This paper deals with the original results of the analysis of Ti64 alloy casting obtained through the Rapid Prototyping Method. The electron beam and special equipment were used as a source of heat for melting the alloy. Two types of samples with different shapes, a cylindrical bar with diameter d = 16 mm and length l = 150 mm and a block with dimension = 95 × 85 × 60 mm, were employed in our experiments. The mechanical properties of casting materials were verified by both toughness and hardness tests. The analysis of microstructure was performed using the light microscopy method. Results obtained from the analysis of as-cast experimental materials were compared with the mechanical and microstructure properties of the certificated Ti64 alloy prepared by conventional processes. The results of the experiments showed that the non-conventional casting procedure used is suitable for the production of parts with complicated shapes from very reactive metals.

Keywords: titanium alloys; rapid prototyping; melting; casting; mechanical properties; materials properties; toughness tests; hardness tests; microstructure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2007.014289

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2007 Vol.2 No.2, pp.238 - 247

Published online: 30 Jun 2007 *

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