Fabrication of Ni-Rich 58NiTi and 60NiTi from Elementally Blended Ni and Ti Powders by a Laser Powder Bed Fusion Technique: Their Printing, Homogenization and Densification

Abstract

Compared to the equiatomic or near-equiatomic NiTinol alloys, Ni-rich NiTi alloys are suitable to be employed in structural applications as they exhibit higher hardness and are dimensionally stable. This research aimed to process two different grades of Ni-rich NiTi alloys, 58NiTi and 60NiTi, from Ni–Ti powder mixtures having about 58 wt.% and 60 wt.% Ni, respectively. This was performed by a laser powder bed fusion technique. At the first stage of this research, the printability of the used powder mixtures was investigated by applying different sets of printing parameters. Two appropriate sets were then selected to print the samples. Microstructural study of the printed parts revealed the existence of inhomogeneity in the microstructures. In addition, depending on the applied set of parameters, some amounts of cracks and pores were also present in the microstructure of these parts. Postprinting hot isostatic pressing procedures, performed at different temperatures, were developed to cause the reaction of phases, homogenize the parts, and possibly eliminate the existing flaws from the samples. Effects of these applied treatments on the microstructure, phase composition, density, dimensional integrity, and hardness of parts were sequentially studied. In essence, 58NiTi and 60NiTi parts having phase compositions complying with those of the equilibrium phase diagram were obtained in this research. However, the mentioned cracks and pores, formed in the microstructure of as-printed parts, could not be fully removed by postprocessing treatments.