Nanoindentation-Driven Analysis of Mechanical Properties in LPBF Ti6Al4V

Abstract This study explores the material behavior of Ti6Al4V fabricated through Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) under optimized processing conditions, with a focus on key mechanical properties such as hardness, modulus of elasticity, creep indentation behavior, and stress relaxation assessed through nanoindentation at ambient conditions. Emphasis is placed on analyzing optimized LPBF process parameters affecting the relative density by establishing a relationship between specific LPBF parameters—such as laser power and scanning speed—and resulting properties. The observed indentation size effect correlates with hardness decreasing from 3.8 GPa at shallow depths to 3.35 GPa at greater depths, indicating the transition from surface-dominated to bulk behavior. The modulus of elasticity averaging 56.977 GPa, highlights the material’s stiffness and resilience under load, while residual stress analysis reveals internal stress distribution crucial for stability in LPBF Ti6Al4V components. Creep strain and stress relaxation demonstrate the material’s apparent ability to undergo time-dependent deformation and effectively redistribute internal stresses under sustained loading conditions. Research findings indicate that LPBF Ti6Al4V exhibits strong resistance to plastic deformation, and stiffness properties, providing critical insights into the process-property relationships for high-demand applications.