Effect of Lanthanum Oxide on the Microstructure and Properties of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy during CMT-Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

Lanthanum oxide powder was added to improve the microstructure and properties of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy part during cold metal transfer (CMT) based on wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The macrostructure, microstructure and properties of the part were studied by using an optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron backscatter(ed) diffraction (EBSD), microhardness evaluation and a tensile test. The results showed that the β grain size and martensite (α) size were reduced by adding lanthanum oxide powder. The texture intensity of the part also decreased due to the change in microstructure. Accordingly, the microhardness and tensile properties of the part obtained by adding lanthanum oxide were improved. In addition, based on the interdependence theory model, adding La2O3 particles in the molten pool as heterogeneous nucleation points could reduce the distance of XSD, so fine equiaxed β grains can be formed in the deposition layer.