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Effects of Process Variables and Size Scale on Solidification Microstructure in Laser-Based Solid Freeform Fabrication of Ti-6Al-4V

Authors: N. W. Klingbeil; S. Bontha; C. J. Brown; D. R. Gaddam; P. A. Kobryn; H. L. Fraser; J. W. Sears; WRIGHT STATE UNIV DAYTON OH
Abstract:
This paper summarizes a combination of analytical and numerical modeling approaches which have been used to investigate the effects of process variables and size scale on solidification microstructure in laser-deposited Ti-6A1-4V. The analytical approach is based on the well-known Rosenthal solution for a moving point heat source, which provides dimensionless process maps for solidification cooling rate and thermal gradient (the key parameters controlling microstructure) as a function of laser deposition process variables (laser power and velocity). Based on these process maps, results for both 2-D thin-wall and bulky 3-D geometries are plotted on solidification maps for predicting grain morphology in laser-deposited Ti-6A1-4V. Although the Rosenthal results neglect the nonlinear effects of temperature-dependent material properties and latent heat of transformation, a comparison with 2-D and 3-D nonlinear thermal finite element results for both small-scale (LENS(TradeMark)) and large-scale (high power) processes suggests that they can provide reasonable estimates of trends in grain morphology. Finally, 3-D cellular automaton solidification modeling is used to provide direct predictions of solidification microstructure, and results are compared to experimental observations for both LENS(TradeMark) and a larger scale process under development at SDSM&T. The results of this work suggest that changes in process variables could potentially result in a grading of the microstructure throughout the depth of the deposit, and that a transition from columnar to equiaxed microstructure is possible at high laser powers.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Conference paper
Pages: 12
Report Date: AUG 2004
Contract Number: DMI0224517, DAAD190220001
Report Number: P564020
Keywords relating to this report:
COOLING
DEPOSITION
ESTIMATES
FABRICATION
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
GRAIN STRUCTURES(METALLURGY)
HIGH POWER
LASER APPLICATIONS
LASERS
LATENT HEAT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROSTRUCTURE
MORPHOLOGY
NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
PLOTTING
PREDICTIONS
SOLIDIFICATION
SYMPOSIA
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMAL PROPERTIES
TITANIUM ALLOYS
TRANSFORMATIONS
VARIABLES
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