Laser Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing of Graphite Strengthened Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

The laser powder bed fusion of graphite strengthened Ti-6Al-4V alloy was studied to improve the mechanical properties. Experiments were carried out using the Nd-YAG laser to induce melting and reaction of graphite with alloy. Mechanical properties of laser treated graphite/alloy were measured using the microhardness tester. The samples were characterized using SEM-EDS and XPS. The XPS analysis of the treated samples showed formation of titanium carbide. The results showed that the graphite and alloy interface formed was uniform, adherent and free of cracks. Hardness of the processed sample was measured to be higher than the treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy without graphite. The increase in hardness is because of the formation of the titanium carbide at the interface of the graphite and alloy.