Laser Metal Deposition of Ti6al4v/Tic Composites Using Optimized Process Parameters
R.M. Mahamood and E.T. Akinlabi
Laser material deposition (LMD) process, an additive manufacturing technology, offers a lot of advantages in the surface modification of components, in the repair of existing worn parts, as well as for building parts that are made up of composites and functionally graded materials. Processing parameters are of great importance in achieving the desired properties in LMD process. In this study, the effect of laser power and scanning velocity on the microstructure, the microhardness and the wear resistance properties of Ti6Al4V/TiC composites has been thoroughly investigated in order to optimize these process parameters. The Ti6Al4V/ TiC composites were laser deposited with a composition ratio of 50 wt.% Ti64 and 50 wt.% TiC and at 50% overlap percentage. The laser power was varied from 1.0 to 3.8 kW and the scanning speed was varied between 0.030 and 0.100 m/s. The results shows that the optimum process parameters is at a laser power of about 2.0 kW and the scanning speed is about 0.055 m/s.
Keywords: Laser material deposition, Nd:YAG laser, microhardness, microstructure, process parameters, sliding wear, Ti6Al4V/TiC composites.