Powder bed fusion electron beam of an oxygen-compatible β-Ti–35.5Nb–2Ta–3Zr alloy: Feasibility and material evaluation
Journal article, 2025
Additive manufacturing (AM) by powder bed fusion electron beam (PBF-EB) is a state-of-the-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-Ti–35.5Nb–2Ta–3Zr 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 fibre texture switch, depending on the chosen process parameters, were found.
β-titanium
TNTZ
additive manufacturing
microstructure
Author
Silja Katharina Rittinghaus
Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Materials and manufacture
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
Bala Malladi
Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Materials and manufacture
Marcus Willi Rackel
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
Daniel Borchert
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
Hamed Shokri
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
Karin Ratschbacher
GfE Metalle und Materialien GmbH
Michael Budnitzki
Jülich Research Centre
Bilal Gökce
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
Eduard Hryha
Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Materials and manufacture
European Journal of Materials
26889277 (eISSN)
Vol. 5 1 2448120Areas of Advance
Production
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology
Infrastructure
Additive Manufacturing at Chalmers
DOI
10.1080/26889277.2024.2448120