Ti6Al4V Alloy Remelting by Modulation Laser: Deep Penetration, High Compactness and Metallurgical Bonding with Matrix

Abstract

Titanium alloys are famous for their light weight, high strength, and heat- and corrosion-resistant properties. However, the excellent mechanical properties are closely related to its microstructure. Innovative machining operations are required for the welding, surface strengthening, and repairs to ensure the refining of the crystalline structure for improved strength requirements, enhanced mechanical properties, and integrating strength. By direct laser melting on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, the differences of molten pools under continuous and modulated laser mode were compared in the article. Under the same power, the heat influence zone of the laser pool could be reduced to 1/3 of that of the continuous laser. The deep molten pool could be obtained by a continuous laser by the action of high energy density. The tensile property changed a lot between different depths of melt penetration. A high-density, fine-grain molten pool could be obtained under the action of a high-frequency (20 kHz) modulation laser. The mechanical properties of the tensile sample between different depths of melt penetration, which contained the remelting zone, were close to the substrate. The research conclusions can provide technical support for the development of laser remelting processing technology.