Investigation of microstructural characteristics of heat treated high speed selective laser melting fabricated Ti6Al4V components

Abstract

This study presents an investigation of the effect of different heat treatments on the microstructure of Ti6Al4V fabricated components produced by high speed selective laser melting. 10 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm cubes were heat treated in an inert oven at temperatures of 700 °C and 950 °C. The samples were heat treated at their respective temperatures for 2 hours before air cooling to room temperature. Subsequent to heat treatment, the microstructures of the heat treated samples and the as-built were studied. The as-built sample showed a martensitic alpha phase which was also observed on the 700 °C sample. Elongated columnar grains were observed on the as-built and the 700 °C heat treated sample. Furthermore, a fully transformed lamella a+ß microstructure was observed for the 950 °C heat treated sample.