B. Baufeld, O. Van der Biest, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; R. Gault, University of Sheffield, Rotherham, United Kingdom
Shaped Metal Deposition (SMD) is an innovative time-compression technology, which creates near-net shaped components in a variety of materials by weld deposition. Especially for Ti alloys, which are difficult to shape by traditional methods such as forging, machining and casting and for which the loss of material during the shaping process is also very dear, SMD promises great advantages. Ti alloys are very sensitive on the thermal history and this method introduces for each welding step another temperature gradient leading to a particular microstructure. The microstructure Ti-6Al-4V components will be correlated with the SMD process. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the material, elastic modulus, ultimate tensile stress, and plastic deformation will be presented.
Summary: Shaped Metal Deposition creates near-net shaped components by tungsten inert gas welding. Components made out of Ti-6Al-4 V, their microstructure and mechanical properties will be presented.
