The Effect of Laser Power on the Microstructure of the Nb-Si Based In Situ Composite, Fabricated by Laser Metal Deposition

Abstract

The Nb-Si in-situ composite samples were fabricated by laser metal deposition additive manufacturing technology from mechanically alloyed powders in vario-planetary ball mill. A laser metal of samples was carried out at various laser powers: 500 W, 1000 W, 1400 W. The microstructure of a sample grown at a laser power of 500 W consists of a solid solution of Nb, Nb3Si, and dendritic chains of Ti. When the laser power is increased to 1000 W, the volume fraction of silicides increases, the structural heterogeneity decreases. With further increase in laser power to 1400 W, Ti dissolves in Nb, dendritic chains disappear, Nb5Si3 silicide stabilizes.