Structural transformations in titanium alloy produced by wire electron beam additive manufacturing after heat treatment
摘要
The study presents a comparative analysis of the microstructure and phase composition of a Ti4Al3V alloy fabricated by wire electron beam additive manufacturing, in the as-quenched and normalized states at 1050 °C. Quenching leads to the formation of martensitic α′ phase with a high density of crystallographic defects, resulting in increased strength and microhardness. Normalization produces an equilibrium α + β microstructure characterized by coarse α‑phase plates and an increased volume fraction of β‑phase, which slightly reduces microhardness. XRD analysis after quenching revealed shifts in the diffraction peaks for an α phase, attributed to the dissolution of aluminum and vanadium into a β-matrix and the development of internal residual stresses. Thus, the choice of heat treatment regime for WEBAM-fabricated Ti4Al3V is strategic and depends on the intended application: quenching provides maximum strength, while normalization produces a more uniform microstructure with moderate strength and comparable ductility.