Processing of Ti-13Nb-13Zr powder by selective laser melting under a relatively high oxygen atmosphere

Ti-13Nb-13Zr (TNZ) parts were produced by selective laser melting under an atmosphere with a relatively high O content using a comprehensive combination of laser powers and laser beam scanning velocities. The influence of processing conditions on the density, microstructure, interstitial element contents (N and O), and hardness of as-printed TNZ parts were studied. The N and O contents in the TNZ parts increased on increasing the energy density (ED). Despite the high O content in the chamber during laser processing, it was possible to obtain TNZ parts with high density and relatively low N and O contents, depending on the ED applied. Two different types of microstructure were observed in the TNZ parts: alpha ' martensite and alpha/alpha ' + beta phases. Depending on its microstructure, the TNZ parts presented interstitial solid solution hardening and second phase hardening.

Automated summary

TNZ parts with desired properties can be obtained by selecting appropriate laser processing parameters, which affect the microstructure and trace element content depending on the ED applied.