Surface characteristics of laser polished Ti-6Al-4V parts produced by electron beam melting additive manufacturing process


Nesli S., YILMAZ O.

International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol.114, pp.271-289, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 114
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00170-021-06861-6
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Compendex, INSPEC, DIALNET
  • Page Numbers: pp.271-289
  • Keywords: Additive manufacturing, Laser polishing, Electron-beam melting, Surface texture, PARAMETERS, STEEL
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.Additive manufacturing (AM) offers high design flexibilities and challenging approaches to produce highly complicated and intricate parts, which could not be possible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods. However, one of the significant drawbacks of AM processes is of course poor surface qualities, which are not acceptable for end products. Laser polishing (LP) offers an innovative surface-finishing technique that could be used to reduce the surface roughness by melting a thin layer of material on the rough part surfaces. This research work presents an extensive investigation of surface texture observed on laser polished surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V parts produced via electron-beam-melting process. A complete surface analysis of possible defects such as cracks, oxidation, and elevated edges and their causes are discussed in detail. It has been found that LP is capable of improving surface finish and the highest reduction in surface roughness can become from Sa = 44.14 μm to Sa = 3.69 μm. It is also shown that laser polishing might produce some surface defects and two detrimental surface cracks such as longitudinal and transverse might be evident depending upon the laser scan direction.