The Interplay of Thermal Gradient and Laser Process Parameters on the Mechanical Properties, Geometrical and Microstructural Characteristics of Laser-Cladded Titanium (Ti6Al4V) Alloy Composite Coatings

With the development of laser surface modification techniques like direct laser metal deposition (DLMD), titanium alloy (TI6Al4V) may now have its entire base metal microstructure preserved while having its surface modified to have better characteristics. Numerous surface issues in the aerospace industry can be resolved using this method without changing the titanium alloy’s primary microstructure. As a result, titanium alloy is now more widely used in sectors outside of aerospace and automotive. This is made possible by fabricating metal composite coatings on titanium alloys using the same DLMD method. Any component can be repaired using this method, thereby extending the component’s life. The experimental process was carried out utilizing a 3000 W Ytterbium Laser System at the National Laser Centre of the CSIR in South Africa. Through the use of a laser system, AlCuTi/Ti6Al4V was created. The characterization of the materials for grinding and polishing was performed according to standard methods. There is a substantial correlation between the reinforcement feed rate, scan speed, and laser power components. Due to the significant role that aluminum reinforcement played and the presence of aluminum in the base metal structure, Ti-Al structures were also created. The reaction and solidification of the copper and aluminum reinforcements in the melt pool produced the dendritic phases visible in the microstructures. Compared to the base alloy, the microhardness’s highest value of 1117.2 HV1.0 is equivalent to a 69.1% enhancement in the hardness of the composite coatings. The enhanced hardness property is linked to the dendritic phases formed in the microstructures as a result of optimized process parameters. Tensile strengths of laser-clad ternary coatings also improved by 23%, 46.2%, 13.1%, 70%, 34.3%, and 51.7% when compared to titanium alloy substrates. The yield strengths of laser-clad ternary coatings improved by 19%, 46.7%, 12.9%, 69.3%, 34.7%, and 52.1% when compared to the titanium alloy substrate.