HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF RECYCLED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED ELECTRON BEAM MELTED TITANIUM TI6AL4V

Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) has become a popular method for producing complex and unique geometries, especially gaining traction in the aerospace and medical industries. With the increase in adoption of AM and the high cost of powder, it is critical to understand the effects of powder recycling on part performance to move towards material qualification and certification of affordable printed components. Due to the limitations of the Electron Beam Melting (EBM) process, current as-printed components are susceptible to failure at limits far below wrought metals and further understanding of the material properties and fatigue life is required. In this study, a high strength Titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V, is recycled over time and used to print fatigue specimens using the EBM process. Uniaxial High Cycle Fatigue tests have been performed on as-printed and polished cylindrical specimens and the locations of crack initiation and propagation have been determined through the use of a scanning electron microscope. This investigation has shown that the rough surface exterior is far more detrimental to performance life than the powder degradation occurring due to powder reuse. In addition, the effects of the rough surface exterior as a stress concentration is evaluated using the Arola-Ramulu. The following is a preliminary study of the effects powder recycling and surface treatments on EBM Ti-6Al4V fatigue life.