EFFECT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTRURE OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED TI-6AL-4V ALLOY

This research explores how heat treatment influences both the mechanical properties and microstructure of Ti6Al4V alloy produced through additive manufacturing. The samples were produced using the selective laser melting (SLM) technique and analysed using evaluation equipment, including digital optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, compression tester, and hardness tester. The findings indicate that notable differences in mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics due to the heat treatment process. The annealed samples exhibit a significant improvement in mechanical properties compared with the as-printed sample, which may be due to the changes in microstructure. Annealing at lower temperatures resulted in improved hardness and compressive strength; namely, the specimens that underwent annealing at 850 °C showed better mechanical strength than the specimens subjected to annealing at 950 °C and 1050 °C. The grain is finer at lower annealing temperatures, which may be the main reason for the changes in mechanical properties. Understanding the relationship between heat treatment and material characteristics is essential to advancing the application of Ti6Al4V in aerospace and medical implants.