Effect of Support Height on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Selective Laser Melting Ti-15Mo Alloy

doi:10.1007/s40195-023-01612-w

Abstract

Abstract:

In this research, for the first time, the Ti-15Mo alloy generated via selective laser melting (SLM) with many different support heights was examined. With the increase of the support height, the risks of forming microcracks and small holes increase while the ductility of the sample decreases. The grain sizes of the samples decrease with an increase in support height because of the more efficient heat dissipation rate during the SLM process. The average grain sizes of the samples are 36.95 ± 0.7 μm (5 mm-sample I), 35.24 ± 0.7 μm (10 mm-sample II) and 33.91 ± 0.7 μm (15 mm-sample III), respectively. As the support height increases, the intensity of (111) texture increases and the misorientation angles gradually decrease. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and ductility of the three samples are 970 ± 13 MPa, 769 ± 12 MPa and 9.78% ± 1.5% (sample I), 1051 ± 11 MPa, 932 ± 11 MPa and 7.17% ± 2% (sample II), 1123 ± 14 MPa, 1089 ± 9 MPa and 5.4% ± 1.4% (sample III), respectively. The decrease in grain size, increase in dislocation density and enhancement of the (111) texture are all conducive to achieving the higher strength.

Key words: Selective laser melting, Titanium alloy, Support height, Microstructure

Libo Zhou, Xisheng Bi, Jinshan Sun, Zhiming Hu, Cong Li, Jian Chen, Yanjie Ren, Yan Niu, Wei Qiu, Wei Chen. Effect of Support Height on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Selective Laser Melting Ti-15Mo Alloy[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2023, 36(12): 1947-1960.

Figures/Tables 15

Fig. 1 a Powder morphology of Ti-15Mo alloy, b particle size distribution of Ti-15Mo alloy, c design and SLM-fabricated samples, d configuration of tensile and cubic samples in this study

Table 1 Chemical compositions of Ti-15Mo alloy (wt%)

Ti	Mo	O
85.6	14.3	0.1

Fig. 2 a XRD samples of Ti-15Mo parts fabricated by SLM with different support heights, b bright-field image, c the electron diffraction pattern, d the dark field image of the sample I

Fig. 3 OM and SEM images of the samples: sample I a, d and g, sample II b, e and h, sample III c, f and i. The red dotted line represents the indicator pool boundary

Fig. 4 SEM micrographs of XY and XZ planes of sample I: the horizontal plane a-c, the vertical plane d-f

Fig. 5 Microstructures of sample I a-c and sample III d-f, showing the spiral molten pool generated by the support

Fig. 6 Image quality (IQ) + IPF graphs for samples I a, II b and III c. Grain size calculated by orientation imaging microscopy (OIM): Sample I d, sample II e, and sample III f. The distribution of misorientation angles sample I g, sample II h and sample III i

Fig. 7 PF and IPF showing the (001), (011) and (111) crystallographic directions of the a, d sample I, b, e sample II and c, f sample III

Fig. 8 a True stress-strain curve and b work hardening rate of Ti-15 Mo samples treated with SLM under different tapered support heights

Fig. 9 SEM micrographs showing fracture surfaces sample I a-c, sample II d-f and sample III g-i

Fig. 10 Schematic diagram of heat dissipation for samples I, II and III

Fig. 11 TEM images of Ti-15Mo alloy made by SLM: a sample I, b sample II, c sample III; Kernel average misorientaion images d-f and the results calculated by the OIM g-i of sample I, II and III, respectively

Table 2 Tensile properties of Ti-15Mo alloys prepared with different process

	Ultimate tensile strength (MPa)	Yield strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	References
Sample I	970 ± 13	769 ± 12	9.78 ± 1.5	This work
Sample II	1051 ± 11	932 ± 11	7.17 ± 2	This work
Sample III ST	1123 ± 14 714	1089 ± 9 439	5.4 ± 1.4 23	This work [15]
DED	820	720	16.7	[33]
VAM + ST	650	540	46	[43]
LPBF	895	820	2.3	[44]
CRLM + ST	785	-	12.5	[45]
UFG	790	-	32	[46]

Fig. 12 Grain boundary diagram of sample I a, sample II b and sample III c (green lines indicate low angle grain boundaries, red lines indicate high angle grain boundaries)

Fig. 13 a {110} < 111 > slip system of BCC materials: Schmidt factors b sample I, c sample II, d sample III

References 51.

1.	K. Zhao, X. Zhou, T. Hu, Y. Li, Z. Ye, F. Zhang, M. Wang, H. Tan, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 858, 144103 (2022) DOI URL
2.	A. Kazek-Kęsik, M. Krok-Borkowicz, E. Pamuła, W. Simka, Mater. Sci. Eng. C 43, 172 (2014)
3.	L. Zhou, J. Sun, X. Bi, J. Chen, W. Chen, Y. Ren, Y. Niu, C. Li, W. Qiu, T. Yuan, Vacuum 205,111454 (2022) DOI URL
4.	J. Chen, X. Liao, J. Shu, L. Zhou, C. Li, Y. Ren, Y. Niu, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 826, 141962 (2021) DOI URL
5.	J.B. Zhan, Y.J. Lu, J.X. Lin, Acta Metall. Sin. -Engl. Lett. 34, 1223 (2021)
6.	L. Wang, Z. Zhang, Z. Zhao, S. Zhang, P. Bai, Acta Metall. Sin. -Engl. Lett. 36, 917 (2023)
7.	K. Wang, W. Liu, Y. Hong, D. Du, B. Chang, Y. Tong, Y. Hu, X. Ji, J. Ju, J. Mater. Res. Technol. 24, 8391 (2023) DOI URL
8.	K. Wang, D. Du, G. Liu, Z. Pu, B.H. Chang, J. Ju, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 780, 139185 (2020) DOI URL
9.	J. Praneeth, S. Venkatesh, L. Sivarama Krishna, Mater. Today: Proc. (2023).
10.	Q. Cao, Y. Bai, J. Zhang, Z. Shi, J.Y.H. Fuh, H. Wang, Mater. Des. 191, 108691 (2020) DOI URL
11.	P. Didier, G. Le Coz, G. Robin, P. Lohmuller, B. Piotrowski, A. Moufki, P. Laheurte, J. Manuf. Process. 62, 213 (2021) DOI URL
12.	W. Hintze, R. von Wenserski, S. Junghans, C. Möller, Procedia Manuf. 48, 485 (2020)
13.	J. Chen, C. Li, L. Zhou, Y. Ren, C. Li, X. Liao, Y. Wang, Y. Niu, Mater Charact 190,112000 (2022) DOI URL
14.	L. Li, J. Liu, N. Ding, M. Li, Chin. J. Aeronaut. 36, 573 (2023) DOI URL
15.	L. Xiang, X.H. Min, X. Ji, S. Emura, C.Q. Cheng, K. Tsuchiya, Acta Metall. Sin. -Engl. Lett. 31, 604 (2018)
16.	Y.M. Ren, X. Lin, X. Fu, H. Tan, J. Chen, W.D. Huang, Acta Mater. 132, 82 (2017) DOI URL
17.	R. Li, J. Liu, Y. Shi, M. Du, Z. Xie, J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 19, 666 (2010) DOI URL
18.	M. Ozerov, M. Klimova, A. Kolesnikov, N. Stepanov, S. Zherebtsov, Mater. Des. 112, 17 (2016) DOI URL
19.	J. Wang, X.L. Zhou, J. Li, M. Brochu, Y.F. Zhao, Addit. Manuf. 31, 100921 (2020)
20.	Z. Lu, L. Yu, J. Xu, C. Du, H. Zhang, J. Mater. Res. Technol. 21, 2118 (2022) DOI URL
21.	H. Zhang, B. Deng, J. Lin, X. Tang, R. Yan, F. Peng, Opt. Laser Technol. 163, 109409 (2023) DOI URL
22.	R.B. Figueiredo, M. Kawasaki, T.G. Langdon, Prog. Mater. Sci. 137, 101131 (2023) DOI URL
23.	W. Li, Y. Yang, J. Liu, Y. Zhou, M. Li, S. Wen, Q. Wei, C. Yan, Y. Shi, Acta Mater. 136, 90 (2017) DOI URL
24.	L.Y. Chen, J.C. Huang, C.H. Lin, C.T. Pan, S.Y. Chen, T.L. Yang, D.Y. Lin, H.K. Lin, J.S.C. Jang, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 682, 389 (2017) DOI URL
25.	L. Zhou, T. Yuan, R. Li, J. Tang, M. Wang, F. Mei, J. Alloy. Compd. 762, 289 (2018) DOI URL
26.	X. Zhang, H. Xu, Z. Li, A. Dong, D. Du, L. Lei, G. Zhang, D. Wang, G. Zhu, B. Sun, Mater Charact 173,110951 (2021) DOI URL
27.	G. Zhang, Q. Wang, Y. Ni, P. Liu, F. Liu, D. Leguillon, L.R. Xu, Polym. Test. 117, 107845 (2023) DOI URL
28.	X.H. Min, S. Emura, T. Nishimura, L. Zhang, S. Tamilselvi, K. Tsuchiya, K. Tsuzaki, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 527, 1480 (2010) DOI URL
29.	S. Zhang, X. Min, Y. Li, W. Wang, P. Li, M. Li, Acta Metall. Sin. -Engl. Lett. 35, 621 (2022)
30.	Y. Xiao, G. Qian, J. Sun, F. Berto, J.A.F. Correia, Y. Hong, Theor. Appl. Fract. Mech. 125, 103931 (2023) DOI URL
31.	D. Manonmani, R. Dutta, R. Gnanamoorthy, Mater. Today:Proceedings S22147853230, 2023 (1845X)
32.	W. Zhou, S. Li, Y. Feng, L. Lin, Inter. J. Therm. Sci. 188, 108214 (2023) DOI URL
33.	T. Bhardwaj, M. Shukla, C.P. Paul, K.S. Bindra, J. Alloy. Compd. 787, 1238 (2019) DOI
34.	M. Guo, G. Huang, L. Xi, D. Dai, D. Gu, J. Manuf. Sci. Technol. 39, 401 (2022)
35.	Z. Li, Q. Kang, Y. Chen, X. Xv, T. Zhou, G. Wang, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 878, 145213 (2023) DOI URL
36.	V. Bertolo, L. Vilasi, Q. Jiang, T. Riemslag, S. Scott, C.L. Walters, J. Sietsma, V. Popovich, J. Mate. Res. Technol. 23, 1919 (2023)
37.	Y. Deng, X. Zhu, Y. Lai, Y. Guo, L. Fu, G. Xu, J. Huang, Trans. Nonferrous Metal. Soc. China 33,668 (2023) DOI URL
38.	K. Wang, H. Li, Y. Zhou, J. Wang, R. Xin, Q. Liu, Acta Metall. Sin. -Engl. Lett. 36, 353 (2023)
39.	T. Gao, H. He, Y. Liu, Z. Bian, Q. Chen, Q. Xie, Y. Liang, Q. Xiao, Surf. Interfaces 39, 102983 (2023)
40.	I. Serrano-Munoz, R. Fernández, R. Saliwan-Neumann, G. González-Doncel, G. Bruno, Mater. Lett. 337, 133978 (2023) DOI URL
41.	J.F. Xiao, Z.H. Nie, B.B. He, C.W. Tan, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 870, 144855 (2023) DOI URL
42.	H. Xu, Z. Li, A. Dong, H. Xing, D. Du, L. He, H.P. Peng, G. Zhu, D. Wang, B. Sun, J. Alloy. Compd. 873, 159686 (2021) DOI URL
43.	P. Yang, C. Liu, Q. Guo, Y. Liu, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 72, 162 (2021) DOI URL
44.	T.C. Dzogbewu, Res Eng 7,100155 (2020)
45.	J.M. Alegre, A. Díaz, R. García, L.B. Peral, I.I. Cuesta, Inter. J. Fatigue 163,107097 (2022) DOI URL
46.	J.C. Wang, Y.J. Liu, S.X. Liang, Y.S. Zhang, L.Q. Wang, T.B. Sercombe, L.C. Zhang, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 105, 1 (2022) DOI
47.	S. Yao, H. Zhang, F. Ma, P. Liu, L. Song, W. Li, K. Zhang, X. Chen, J. Mater. Res. Technol. 25, 13 (2023) DOI URL
48.	L. Kang, F. Chen, M.A. Bradford, X. Liu, Structures 54,221 (2023) DOI URL
49.	J. Tian, J. Deng, Y. Chang, Y. Zhou, W. Liang, J. Ma, J. Alloy. Compd. 918, 165517 (2022) DOI URL
50.	X. Guo, L. Song, X. Liu, A. Stark, F. Pyczak, T. Zhang, Mater Charact 200,112901 (2023) DOI URL
51.	L. Zhou, J. Sun, J. Chen, W. Chen, Y. Ren, Y. Niu, C. Li, W. Qiu, J. Alloy. Compd. 928, 167130 (2022) DOI URL

[1]	Shang Zhao, Zhaolin Wang, Mingliang Wang, Zeyu Ding, Yiping Lu. A critical review of advances and application prospects of soft magnetic high entropy alloys [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 40(2): 1-7.
[2]	Wei-Peng Chen, Jia-Qi Pei, Hua Hou, Yu-Hong Zhao. Phase-field simulation of α-Mg dendrite growth in magnesium alloys: A review [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 40(2): 48-61.
[3]	Peng Han, Wen Wang, Jun Cai, Jia Lin, Hubin Yang, Qianzhi Ma, Feng Gao, Ke Qiao, Fengming Qiang, Kuaishe Wang. Excellent superplasticity for lamellar microstructure in nugget of a double-sided friction stir welded Ti-4.5Al-3V-2Mo-2Fe alloy joint [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 40(2): 110-123.
[4]	Lei Qin, Shengfeng Zhou, Jianbo Jin, Huan Yang, Kunmao Li, Cheng Deng, Yujie Yuan, Seyed Reza Elmi Hosseini, Lai-Chang Zhang. Effect of molybdenum content on the microstructure and tribological properties of Ti-Nb-Cu alloys produced by LPBF additive manufacturing [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 39(1): 13-25.
[5]	X.L. Wang, J.Y. Li, Q.S. Mei. Recent progress in Zn matrix composites for biomedical applications [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 39(1): 26-37.
[6]	Zhizhi Wang, Pei Liu, Jingyi Guo, Yiwen Yan, Aiqin Wang, Jingpei Xie. Excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility of Ti-15Mo alloy via interstitial nitrogen atoms [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 39(1): 38-46.
[7]	Kunmao Li, Shengfeng Zhou, Jing Liu, Feng Yang, Chengliang Yang. A review on the biomedical Ti-Cu alloys: Design, preparation, microstructure and properties [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 39(1): 47-67.
[8]	Author links open overlay panelXiaodong Yang, Chang Liu, Lechun Xie. Surface engineering of medical titanium alloy: A review [J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 39(1): 95-116.
[9]	Yuanyuan Feng, Jianchao Pang, Xiaoyuan Teng, Chenglu Zou, Jingjing Liang, Yuping Zhu, Shouxin Li, Jinguo Li, Zhefeng Zhang. Quasi-in-situ EBSD Study on the Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Selective Laser Melted Inconel 718 Alloy Processed by Different Heat Treatments [J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(9): 1499-1512.
[10]	B. M. Shi, Y. T. Pang, B. H. Shan, B. B. Wang, Y. Liu, P. Xue, J. F. Zhang, Y. N. Zan, Q. Z. Wang, B. L. Xiao, Z. Y. Ma. Microstructure Evolution and Fracture Behavior of (B₄C+Al₂O₃)/Al Friction Stir Welded Joints [J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(9): 1513-1526.
[11]	H. Q. Dai, N. Li, L. H. Wu, J. Wang, P. Xue, F. C. Liu, D. R. Ni, B. L. Xiao, Z. Y. Ma. Low-Temperature Superplastic Deformation Behavior of Bimodal Microstructure of Friction Stir Processed Ti-6Al-4V Alloy [J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(9): 1559-1569.
[12]	Shuyi Ren, Jiao Li, Kai Wu, Xiaoge Li, Yaqiang Wang, Jinyu Zhang, Gang Liu, Jun Sun. Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Nanotwinned Ni-W Alloyed Films [J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(9): 1570-1582.
[13]	F. S. Li, L. H. Wu, Y. Kan, H. B. Zhao, D. R. Ni, P. Xue, B. L. Xiao, Z. Y. Ma. Microstructure Evolution and Fracture Mechanisms in Electron Beam Welded Joint of Ti-6Al-4V ELI Alloy Ultra-thick Plates [J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(8): 1317-1330.
[14]	Haoran Pang, Liwei Lu, Gongji Yang, Xiaojun Wang, Wen Wang, Hua Zhang, Yujuan Wu. Amelioration of Mechanical Properties of Rolled Mg-4.5Al-2.5Zn Alloy by Cryogenic Cycling Treatment [J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(8): 1436-1452.
[15]	Yunlu Jiang, Lihui Wu, Dingrui Ni, Hongbo Zhao, Xu Han, Peng Xue, Bolv Xiao, Zongyi Ma. Effect of Post Weld Heat Treatment on Residual Stress and Mechanical Properties of 106 mm Thick TC4 Titanium Alloy Electron Beam Welded Joints [J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(7): 1083-1094.