Effect of Fe content on the microstructure and tensile properties of TC4 alloy fabricated by laser solid forming

Abstract:

The effect of Fe content on the microstructure and tensile properties of TC4 alloy manufactured by laser solid forming was investigated. The analysis of microstructure evolution of samples during heat treatment process showed that Fe didn’t affect the microstructure of as-built samples, consisting of coarse columnar β grains in the longitudinal section, while after heat treatments the coarse columnar β grains in the longitudinal section were translated into fine columnar β grains with increasing Fe content from 0.026%wt. to 0.18%wt, suggesting the occurrence of recrystallization. The tensile strength of samples at room temperature after heat treatments was higher than the standard requirements for forging. The tensile strength parallel to building direction was improved with the increasing of Fe, as for the strength perpendicular to building direction was insensitive to Fe content.

Key words:Laser solid forming; TC4; Fe content; tensile properties