Powder bed fusion electron beam of an oxygen-compatible β-Ti–35.5Nb–2Ta–3Zr alloy: Feasibility and material evaluation

<div> Additive manufacturing (AM) by powder bed fusion electron beam (PBF-EB) is a state-ofthe-art method for processing titanium-based alloys, especially due to the high inherent oxygen affinity of the material. Ti-Nb-Ta-Zr alloys provide, dependent on composition and manufacturing, a versatile property profile and are of increasing interest as structural materials as AM eases their production. Enhancing sustainability through reduced purity requirements, alongside improved material performance, could lead to more efficient and environmentally-friendly material design. This study explores the feasibility of producing dense β-TNTZ alloys with an elevated oxygen content of 2800 ppm through PBF-EB, achieving up to 99.7% density and notable mechanical properties such as a hardness of 330HV0.3. The microstructure was found to be single-β in all samples with low segregation of constitutional elements. Indications of a fiber texture switch, depending on the chosen process parameters, were found. </div>