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Dense layer, microstructure, and mechanical performances of Ti–6Al–4V alloy prepared by metal injection molding

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Abstract

One of the most recent methods for fabricating titanium-based products is metal injection molding (MIM). However, there have been few systematic studies on the definition and generation mechanism of surface porosity of MIM Ti–6Al–4V and its relationship with powder, process, and mechanical performances so far. In this article, MIM was selected to produce Ti–6Al–4V, and the investigation aimed to determine the impact of the sintering and subsequent hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process on its microstructure and mechanical performances. The results indicate that Ti–6Al–4V alloy formed a dense layer after sintering because of the temperature gradient from surface to core. The thickness of dense layer, grain size, grain morphology, and grain orientation are the key factors that determine Ti–6Al–4V alloy’s mechanical performances. Under the condition of sintering at 1000 ℃ with HIP process, Ti–6Al–4V alloy formed a dense layer with a thickness of 290 µm, equiaxed grains with an average grain size of 16 µm, and a significant number of high-angle grain boundaries (88.9%). The optimized microstructure of Ti–6Al–4V led to outstanding mechanical performances, exhibiting tensile strength of 1067 MPa, yield strength of 997 MPa, and elongation of 17.5%. Other MIM materials can also be guided by this approach.

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Funding

The National Key Research and Development Program of China (grant number 2021YFB3701900) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant number 226–2022-00123) provided support for this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China

    Shaohua Su, Zijian Hong, Yongjun Wu & Yuhui Huang

  2. Jiangsu Gian Technology Co., Ltd., Changzhou, 213016, China

    Shaohua Su, Peng Wang, Xiaobao Li & Junwen Wu

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Contributions

Conceptualization and design of the study were contributed by all authors. Shaohua Su, Peng Wang, Xiaobao Li, and Yuhui Huang prepared the materials, collected the data, and analyzed the results. Shaohua Su was responsible for crafting the initial draft, and all co-authors offered their thoughts and suggestions on previous revisions. All authors have given their endorsement to the ultimate version.

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Correspondence to Zijian Hong, Yongjun Wu or Yuhui Huang.

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Su, S., Hong, Z., Wu, Y. et al. Dense layer, microstructure, and mechanical performances of Ti–6Al–4V alloy prepared by metal injection molding. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 126, 3861–3871 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-023-11376-3

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