Microstructure formation in selective laser melting of titanium alloys and influence on the machinability

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Berend Denkena; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Julia Kristin Hufenbach, since 9/2020
• Subject Area: Metal-Cutting and Abrasive Manufacturing Engineering ; Metallurgical, Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatment of Materials
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 432764611

Titanium alloys are nowadays an important component of many high performance applications. A recent development is the additive manufacturing of titanium components by selective laser melting (SLM). Due to the requirements regarding surface quality and form tolerance these components usually have to be reworked by machining. The process characteristics of the SLM technology result in structure and material properties that are significantly different from conventional semi-finished titanium products. Targeted process control would enable to tailor structural properties and thus, for example, specifically improve the machinability in areas to be reworked. However, the influence of microstructure modifications on machinability is still largely unknown. In particular, the occurring tool wear is significantly influenced by differences in chip formation. The goal of this research project is to analyze the microstructure formation in selective laser beam melting of titanium, to identify the influences on the machinability and to work out the interaction with the surface integrity. Thus, the originality of the project lies in the derivation of knowledge on the interaction between SLM process and machinability of titanium semi-finished products produced by additive manufacturing.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr.-Ing. Holger Schwab, until 9/2020