Tribological Behavior of Laser Surface Melted γ-TiAl Fabricated by Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing

Gamma titanium aluminide intermetallic alloys (gamma-TiAl) are widely used in automotive and aerospace engineering fields to achieve weight reduction of various components. The gamma-TiAl alloy which is used in engine valves of stated fields are affected through several tribological aspects. In the present study, gamma-TiAl fabricated by electron beam melting (EBM) has been melted using fiber laser. The aim of the present work is to study the tribological behavior of EBM fabricated gamma-TiAl treated with laser surface melting (LSM) which is done in a controlled atmosphere with different laser processing conditions. Metallurgical characterization of LSM samples was studied using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The wear resistance of substrate and LSM samples were analyzed using a tribometer. Load, speed, velocity, and sliding distance are considered as input parameters for the wear study. The improvement in microhardness is found in the LSM melted zone when compared to the substrate. The wear rate of LSM samples at 500, 600, and 700 W power with constant scanning velocity of 450 mm/min are lower than that of the substrate material. The surface roughness of LSM samples was also analyzed with substrate which shows better surface finish.

Automated summary

This study investigates the tribological behavior of gamma titanium aluminide alloy treated with laser surface melting, showing that the alloy treated with LSM exhibits higher microhardness, lower wear rate, and better surface roughness compared to the untreated substrate.