Deposition Characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V Using Laser Wire Metal Deposition

Although Ti-6Al-4V has excellent mechanical properties, it is a difficult-to-machine material. Thus, highly efficient manufacturing methods for Ti-6Al-4V products is required. Laser metal wire deposition (LMWD), one of the metal additive manufacturing technologies, is expected to produce Ti-6Al-4V products with a minimum amount of cutting due to its high deposition rate and relatively high shape accuracy of deposited objects. In this study, the deposition conditions for Ti-6Al-4V using LMWD and the mechanical properties of the deposited objects were investigated. First, the deposition parameters without bead defects were investigated, and the conditions suitable for forming a block sample were selected in respect to the cross-sectional shape and the oxidation state of the beads. Next, the deposition paths that minimize internal defects and oxidation in multipath-multilayer deposition were investigated. A block sample was then deposited and its tensile properties and micro hardness were investigated. The deposited Ti-6Al-4V block sample was heavily oxidized and exhibited high tensile strength, proof stress, hardness, and low elongation.