Microstructure and properties of laser-deposited Ti6Al4V metal matrix composites using Ni-coated powder

As a layer additive rapid manufacturing process, laser engineered net shaping (LENS) can fabricate three-dimensional components directly from a computer-aided design (CAD) model. In this work, the LENS process was employed to fabricate Ti6Al4V metal matrix composites using powder mixtures of gas-atomized Ti6Al4V powder and varying volume fractions of Ni nanocoated TiC particles. The as-fabricated microstructures were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analyzer (DTA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The interfaces between the metal matrix and ceramic particles were examined. The presence of intermetallic phases and resolidified TiC particles was rationalized on the basis of the thermal field during deposition. The influence of LENS parameters on the microstructure evolution and mechanical behavior of the metal matrix composites (MMCs) was also discussed.