Investigation into improving the properties of titanium additive manufactured components via post build thermal processes

When making parts via the additive manufacturing process, even with the most robust processing techniques the powder bed additive process may still create small defects during the build cycle. Several investigational sample sets were manufactured via EB powder bed additive manufacturing. The sample sets contained purposely designed defects that mimic defects that might normally be found in components built via powder bed processing techniques. The investigation compares the effect of post build thermal processing (Hot isostatic Pressing and heat treatments) against as built properties. Mechanical testing data is reported to show the improved material properties by post build thermal processing. Metallography data is reported to show that post build thermal processing conclusively reduces the number and size of the defects, if not eliminating them entirely.