Creep Behavior and Model Comparison for Ti–6Al–4V Alloy Produced via Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion

Abstract In the present study, the creep behavior of Ti–6Al–4V alloy, produced by electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF), was analyzed within a range of temperatures and stress levels suitable for aerospace applications related to structural parts of orbital re-entry vehicles. The experimental data revealed a negligible primary creep and a smooth transition between the secondary and tertiary stages, leading to a pseudo-tertiary regime. Experimental steady-state creep rates were used to calibrate and assess the predictive capabilities of some models available in the literature. The Norton’s model, characterized by constant stress exponent n , fails to accurately predict the creep rate over the considered stress levels. A more reliable prediction of the material’s creep response was achieved using a mechanism-based model with higher-order non-linearity, as proposed by Esposito et al . The model predictions closely match experimental data, improving the understanding of the mechanical properties of titanium alloys produced by electron beam melting. The creep performance of Ti–6Al–4V produced by electron beam melting and selective laser melting were compared using the Larson–Miller approach. This research underscores the significance of combining experimental analysis with computational modeling to drive advancements in materials science.