Quasi-static tensile properties of DMLS TI6AL4V(ELI) specimens exposed to two different heat treatment processes and tested at different elevated temperatures

Abstract

The use of Ti6Al4V components in the aerospace industry has increased in the past years s. Jet engine components made of Ti6Al4V such as compressor blades and exhaust ducts, as well as landing gear, hydraulic systems, and many airframe parts, are exposed to different temperatures while in service, which may affect their mechanical properties. Compressor blades are exposed to temperatures up to 400 °C, exhaust ducts up to 300 °C, and hydraulic systems in the range of -50 °C to 135 °C, while landing gears and many airframe structures are exposed to temperatures in the range of -50 °C to 70 °C. Therefore, it is of great importance to determine their stability at different temperatures. The results of a study aimed at investigating the effect of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties and microstructures of DMLS Ti6Al4V(ELI) alloy are presented and discussed in this paper. A DMLS EOSINT M290 machine was used to manufacture test specimens, which were then machined to comply with ASTM E8 for tensile tests. Thereafter, tensile tests were carried out at different test temperatures till fracture. Fractography was then used to study the characteristics of the fracture surfaces. The results obtained in this work showed that temperatures between 175 °C and 325 °C have a significant effect on the mechanical properties and microstructures of the alloy.