Characterization of 3D-Printed Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Behavior During Cold Deformation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Additive manufacturing (AM) enables complex geometries, but understanding the mechanical behavior of AM materials like Ti-6Al-4V is crucial.
• Characterizing deformation in 3D-printed metals under various conditions is essential for reliable applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the elastic and plastic deformation behavior of 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V alloy.
• To investigate the temperature, strain, and strain rate distribution during deformation.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of combined testing methods for analyzing deformation localization.

Main Methods:

• Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) was used to produce Ti-6Al-4V test samples.
• Simultaneous static tensile testing, thermography, and digital image correlation (DIC) were employed.
• Analysis focused on the deformation zone at room temperature during cold deformation.

Main Results:

• Periodic temperature oscillations were observed during both elastic and plastic deformation.
• The thermoelastic effect resulted in a temperature drop of -0.47 °C to -0.54 °C during elastic deformation.
• Significant strain and strain rate localization occurred just before sample fracture, with maximum strain of 0.078-0.080 and strain rates of 0.025-0.027 s⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• Static tensile tests, thermography, and DIC are effective for localizing stress, strain, and strain rate in 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V.
• The study provides insights into the deformation mechanisms of DMLS-processed Ti-6Al-4V.
• Understanding these behaviors is vital for optimizing AM processes and material performance.