Mechanical and Electrochemical Evaluation of Ti-6Al-4V 3-D Printed Alloys Versus their Wrought Counterparts

There have been considerable breakthroughs in additive manufacturing processing of alloys and a desire to use these materials to replace wrought or cast alloy components currently in service. This study examines the mechanical and electrochemical characteristics of wrought Ti-6Al-4V and compares this alloy to 3-D printed Ti-6Al-4V to determine whether the 3-D printed alloy retains the same material strength and corrosion resistance of the wrought alloy.  The Ti-6Al-4V alloys are produced using electron beam printing.  Surface analysis techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GD-OES) are utilized to determine the composition and microstructure while physical testing is utilized to determine sample hardness, fracture, and fatigue rates among other properties.  Titanium has excellent overall corrosion resistance, but can be susceptible to hydrogen-assisted degradation.  Therefore, hydrogen slow strain rate experiments are included in corrosion assessments in addition to polarization curves.