In-situ synthesis of TiC/Ti-6Al-4V-ELI composite by laser

P Ramasobane; P M Mashinini; B Masina

P Ramasobane University of Johannesburg
P M Mashinini University of Johannesburg
B Masina Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Keywords: TiC/Ti-6Al-4V-ELI, Direct metal deposition, Metal matrix composite, Micro-hardness

Abstract

Titanium-based alloys are reported to offer up to 50% strength to weight ratio. These lands titanium-based alloys as a preferred material over steel and nickel-base super-alloys, where strength and stiffness are required. Regardless titanium-based alloys are prone to losing strength and stiffness at elevated temperature applications such as jet engines. This prompted a need for titanium matrix to be braced with a material with superior properties, such as ceramic. In-situ synthesis with laser metal deposition (LMD) of Ti-6Al-4V-ELI braced with discontinuous particulates of TiC resulted in improved hardness and microstructure. It is reported that an increase in the feed rate of TiC during the LMD process directly increases the hardness of the TiC/Ti-6Al-4V-ELI composite and refine the grain size of Ti-6Al-4V-ELI. Various fabrication methods and properties of Ti-6Al-4V are well documented in the literature. This paper focuses on the effect of TiC on the microstructure and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V-ELI.

Author Biographies

P Ramasobane, University of Johannesburg

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

P M Mashinini, University of Johannesburg

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

B Masina, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg and National Laser Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa