Microstructures and mechanical properties of electron beam-rapid manufactured Ti-6Al-4V biomedical prototypes compared to wrought Ti-6Al-4V

Journal Article · Sun Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2008.07.006· OSTI ID:21192594

Esquivel, E V ^[1]; Gaytan, S M; Lopez, M I; Martinez, E Y ^[1]; Medina, F ^[2]; Hernandez, D H; Martinez, E; Martinez, J L; Stafford, S W; Brown, D K ^[1]; Hoppe, T; Meyers, W ^[3]; Lindhe, U ^[4]; Wicker, R B ^[2]

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1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968 (United States)
2. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Keck Center for 3-D Innovation, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968 (United States)
3. Stratasys, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (United States)
4. Arcam AB, Moelndal (Sweden)

This study represents an exploratory characterization and comparison of electron-beam melted (EBM) or rapid manufacturing (RM) of Ti-6Al-4V components (from nominal 30 {mu}m diameter powder) with wrought products. Acicular {alpha} and associated {beta} microstructures observed by optical metallography and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) are compared along with corresponding tensile test and hardness data; including the initial powder particles where the Vickers microindentation hardness averaged 5.0 GPa in comparison with the fully dense, EB manufactured product with an average microindentation hardness ranging from 3.6 to 3.9 GPa. This compared with wrought products where the Vickers microindentation hardness averaged 4.0 GPa. Values of UTS for the EBM samples averaged 1.18 GPa for elongations ranging from 16 to 25%. Biomaterials/biomedical applications of EBM prototypes in direct prosthesis or implant manufacturing from CT or MRI data are discussed in the context of this work, especially prospects for tailoring physical properties through EB control to achieve customized and optimized implant and prosthetic products direct from CT-scans.

• OSTI ID: 21192594
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Vol. 60, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2008.07.006; PII: S1044-5803(08)00207-6; Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
CAT SCANNING
ELECTRON BEAMS
HARDNESS
MANUFACTURING
METALLOGRAPHY
MICROSTRUCTURE
NMR IMAGING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRESSURE RANGE GIGA PA
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENT ALLOYS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY