Deciphering 3D printing in titanium (2)

Deciphering the uses of 3D printed titanium metal (1)

Titanium is one of the most commonly used metals in additive manufacturing and is used in aerospace, joint replacement and surgical tools, racing and bicycle frames, electronics, and other high-quality products. performance. Titanium is valued for its high mechanical strength, high strength-to-weight ratio and better corrosion resistance than stainless steel.

Titanium reduces the weight of rockets and aircraft, saving fuel and increasing payload capacity. This also makes it easier to use smartphones andThe weight of electronic products such as VR glasses; the same goes for medical implants. And when you combine the inherent qualities of titanium with its unique capabilities during 3D printing, the benefits multiply.

3D printed titanium parts: hip joints from GE Additive, fan blades from Sciaky, rocket tips from Arcam Darker, titanium mesh components from 3D Systems, titanium stents from EOS, surgical spinal implants from Zenith Tecnica .

3D printing can make this expensive metal more efficient, reducing raw material consumption and waste. As an additive technology, metal 3D printing typically uses only the amount of material needed to manufacture the part and a relatively small amount of supporting structural material.

3D printing can also enable complex designs such as internal channels and hollow or mesh-filled parts to reduce weight. These capabilities are unattainable with any other manufacturing method, and because no molds or tools are required, titanium 3D printing can cost-effectively create unique parts, such as implants, prototypes, and specific research tools to the patient.

There are many examples of 3D printed titanium alloys promoting the development of manufacturing, healthcare, space exploration and other fields. Let’s take a look at why titanium alloys are so suitable for additive manufacturing.

Characteristics of titanium alloy for 3D printing

3D printed titanium wheels produced by Atherton Cycles (Source: Atherton)

When using titaniumWhen 3D printed, titanium retains all of its mechanical properties and may even have more advantages.

will be presented belowThere are different methods for 3D printing titanium alloys, but methods using lasers and electron beams subject titanium alloys to complex, multifaceted heat treatment cycles that affect the mechanical properties of the material. It is difficult to draw conclusions about these processes because every laser 3D printer is different, materials vary, and there are many possibilities for fine tuning. However, much research has been conducted in this area recently, most of which highlights the excellent structural integrity of 3D printed titanium parts.

For example, Materials magazineA 2020 study compared 3D printed titanium dental implants to cast components. The study found that the mechanical properties, physical properties, corrosion resistance and surface properties of the 3D printed parts were equivalent to or superior to those of the cast samples.

More recent research has concluded that the printing parameters used, such as the temperature versus time profile of a laser or electron beam delivered to the raw material, have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the final piece. This article in the Journal of Materials Engineering and PerformanceA 2024 study found that varying laser power and scanning speed determined the overall strength and hardness of titanium parts. The corrosion resistance of parts made of Ti-6Al-4V alloy improved with increasing laser power, but deteriorated with increasing scanning speed.

MetalData released in 2021 by 3D printer manufacturer MELD Manufacturing confirms that its process, which does not use lasers or electron beams, can produce titanium meeting ASTM and AMS standards for forged materials.

Zenith Tecnica is a contract manufacturer specializing in titanium 3D printing. The company produces custom titanium parts (Source: Zenith Tecnica).

This data was obtained from the National Manufacturing Science Center(NCMS), the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), and the Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Processes (AMMP) program and tested using the material Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64), also known as ‘ASTM Level 5. Data shows that the printed material exceeds the minimum requirements for yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation specified by ASTM standards in all axes, including the Z direction of the printed layer.

Learn more about titanium

Titanium powder (source:PyroGenesis Additive）

Pure titanium is not typically used in engineering applications, but it is common in the biomedical market, where it is used to make components such as knee and hip implants. Titanium-based alloys (mixtures of controlled metal compositions that impart specific mechanical properties) are widely used in many industries where very specific component properties must be achieved. Metal material suppliers have long supplied manufacturers with titanium for castings and now offer specially formulated titanium powders for additive manufacturing.

Metals at the University of Washington’s Center for Earth Abundant Materials Deployment and ResearchA 3D printing lab uses titanium to create parts (Source: University of Washington)

Titanium alloys for additive manufacturing

Titanium alloy grade 5 6Al-4VIt is the most commonly used titanium alloy in additive manufacturing and is ideal for prototypes and functional parts in the aerospace and automotive industries, as well as military applications. It is also an excellent material for manufacturing parts with complex geometries and precisions, as well as production tools.

Titanium grade 23 6Al-4VIs a biocompatible alloy commonly used in medical implants and prosthetics.

Titanium alloyBeta 21SThe strength is higher than traditional titanium alloys (e.g.Ti-6Al-4V) and exhibits excellent resistance to oxidation and creep compared to traditional titanium alloys such as Ti-15V-3Cr. Grade 21 titanium alloy has one of the lowest hydrogen absorption efficiencies of all titanium alloys. It is ideal for orthopedic implants and aerospace engine applications. Beta titanium is widely used in orthodontics.

Cp-Ti (pure titanium), grade 1, 2Due to the biocompatibility of titanium with the human body, it has a wide range of applications in the medical field.

TA15is a relativeAlpha titanium alloy with added aluminum and zirconium. TA15 components have high specific strength, high load capacity and high temperature resistance, and can be used as robust components in aircraft and engine manufacturing.