Selective laser melting of Ti6Al4V alloy: Process parameters, defects and post-treatments

Selective laser melting (SLM) has received huge attention recently by the research community due to feasibility of realization of tailored intricate metallic structures having applications in biomedical, aviation and energy industries. SLM of Ti6Al4 V is found to be one of the most demandable and potential area. Present work is aimed for critical review of noteworthy contributions in terms of SLM process parameters, defects and various post processing techniques considered by various researchers. Proper selection of process parameters can arrest the tendency of defect generation and appropriate post treatment results in improvement in mechanical behavior in comparison with as-built SLMed Ti6Al4 V components. Efforts have been made to identify correlations between SLM parameters, specially scan speed, laser power, hatch spacing and layer thickness, with prominent defects. Different post processing approaches considered by important research studies have been extensively analyzed and their impact on defects and mechanical behavior especially fatigue performance and biocompatibility of SLM-fabricated Ti6Al4 V alloy is revealed. Many remedies have been identified in the form of optimization of process parameters and post processing techniques. The outcomes of work have clearly facilitated in developing a better scientific understanding of SLMed Ti6Al4V alloy and have also opened many dimensions for future investigations.