Selective laser melting of the Ti–(40–50) wt.% Nb alloy

Experimental macrosamples of Ti–(40–50) wt.% Nb alloy were produced using a method of selective laser melting (SLM) from a Ti and Nb composite powder obtained by mechanical alloying in a high-energy planetary ball mill from pure titanium and niobium powders. The SLM process of a Ti–Nb alloy was modeled on micro- and macroscale levels. The necessity of additional heating the powder layer and substrate for successful occurrence of the SLM process on the microscale level was shown. Based on the calculations of the temperature field of the powder layer in the course of the SLM process, the modes and parameters of the SLM process required for the production of macrosamples of Ti–Nb system alloys were determined and specified. The Ti–45 wt.% Nb and Ti–48 wt.% Nb alloys formed as a result of SLM have a two-phase state. This state is represented by the matrix phase of β-bcc solid solution of titanium and niobium and by the nonequilibrium martensite α’’-phase. © 2017 by Begell House, Inc.