Microstructure and Strengthening Mechanism of Fe-Supersaturated α Titanium alloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

In this study, α-Ti alloys with supersaturated iron (Fe) elements were fabricated by laser powder bed fusion, and their microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated to clarify the strengthening mechanism. The formation of β-Ti was not confirmed in the LPBF prepared Ti-Fe alloy, and Fe was solid soluted in the α-Ti grain. With solid solution of Fe, the α-Ti grain became fine, and the width of α-Ti lath was 530 nm with solid solution of 2 wt% Fe. 0.2% YS of LPBF Ti-Fe alloys increased with solid solution of Fe while maintaining a high elongation at break. The tensile strength of the Ti-2 wt% Fe alloy increased by 600 MPa compared to Ti-0 wt% Fe. The strengthening mechanism of LPBF Ti-Fe alloys was quantitatively clarified as Fe solid solution strengthening and grain refinement strengthening.