Influence of Recycling and Process Parameters on Powder Characteristics of Direct Energy Deposition Ti-6Al-4V

摘要

This study investigated the effects of powder characteristics and process parameters on the final properties of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated via laser engineered net shaping (LENS). Recycling powder is a simple method to reduce waste and cost of the LENS process; however, the effects of repeated handling and laser exposure are not well documented in literature. Ti-6Al-4V powders with different size distributions and levels of were used to determine the effect of recycling on powder properties. Powder conditions were characterized by evaluating size distribution, flowability, surface morphology, chemical composition, phase, porosity content, and oxygen content. The results indicated changes in the powder characteristics need to be considered when recycling. Ongoing work is investigating the effect of these changes on final part quality.