Page 74 - ESAM-1-4

Engineering Science in
Additive Manufacturing EST manipulates structure of Ti-6Al-4V/Cu

thereby increases material hardness, indicating that EST sample, optimal comprehensive mechanical properties
exhibits significant precipitation strengthening effects on are achieved at a current density of 205 A/mm .
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Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr composites. Simultaneously, the (iii) EST exhibits significant precipitation strengthening
transient high temperatures generated when current flows effects on Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr composites,
through the Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr composite repair minute regulating microstructure and enhancing material
internal defects, thereby improving mechanical properties. hardness. Concurrently, EST facilitates the repair of
EST exhibits a pronounced homogenizing effect on microdefects within the material, further improving
the texture of LMD-fabricated Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr its mechanical properties. These changes collectively
composites, reducing anisotropy and enhancing interfacial enhance the performance of the cladding layer and
bonding strength. broaden the applicability of Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr
composites.
4. Conclusion
This work presents a novel process for optimizing the
This work systematically elucidates the significant role of properties of dissimilar metal composites fabricated by
EST in regulating the microstructure and enhancing the LMD, broadening the application prospects of Ti-6Al-4V/
mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr composite Cu-Cr-Zr composites in high-strength structural
materials. It reveals the phase evolution mechanism components for use in the aerospace and other fields.
induced by EST in the interfacial mixing zone (MBZ) Future efforts will focus on further optimizing EST process
and clarifies the precipitation strengthening effect of parameters, exploring its applicability to other material
intermetallic compounds, such as CuTi and Ti Cu. The systems, and conducting in-depth studies on the stability
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innovation lies in utilizing both thermal and non-thermal of its long-term service performance.
effects of EST to achieve precise control over phase
composition and grain orientation, thereby significantly Acknowledgments
enhancing the hardness, shear strength, and ductility None.
of the composite material. The main conclusions of this
research are as follows. Funding
(i) The Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr composite fabricated by
LMD exhibits a distinct MBZ region between the This work was financially supported by the Major Research
coating and the substrate. This region is primarily Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China
composed of the β phase, along with minor amounts (Grant No. 92266102), the National Natural Science
of the α phase and Cu phase. After EST, the CuTi Foundation of China (Grant No. 52271135, No. 52433026,
phase appears within the MBZ, and the diffraction No. 52571177), the Key Laboratory of Green Fabrication
peak intensity of the α phase changes: As the current and Surface Technology of Advanced Metal Materials
density increases from 205 A/mm to 306 A/mm , (GFST2024KF05), and the Innovative Research
2
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the diffraction peak intensity of the α phase ((002), Group Project of Hubei Provincial Natural Science
(101)) first decreases and then increases. This Foundation (Grant No. 2025AFA014).
change in α grain orientation is attributed to phase Conflict of interest
transformations induced by the thermal effects of
EST, leading to chemical composition differences or The authors declare they have no competing interests.
the formation of precipitates.
(ii) After EST, the microhardness of the Ti-6Al-4V coating Author contributions
increases significantly, with a maximum improvement Conceptualization: Shiqiang Xie, Changlin Huang
of nearly 70% compared to the EST-0 sample. This Data curation: Shiqiang Xie, Changlin Huang, Jiawei Gong
enhancement is attributed to the formation of CuTi Formal analysis: Shiqiang Xie, Jiawei Gong, Pei Wang,
and Ti Cu phases within the sample during the EST Lechun Xie
2
process. The precipitation of CuTi and Ti Cu acts as a Funding acquisition: Lechun Xie
2
diffusion promoter, substantially enhancing hardness. Investigation: Changlin Huang, Jiawei Gong
Following EST, both shear strength and elongation Methodology: Shiqiang Xie, Changlin Huang, Jiawei Gong
of the Ti-6Al-4V/Cu-Cr-Zr composite increased to Project administration: Lechun Xie
varying degrees. Both shear strength and elongation Software: Shiqiang Xie, Pei Wang
improve with varying current densities, rising from Supervision: Yan Wen
the original sample’s 80 MPa and 12.35% to 132 MPa Validation: Changlin Huang, Pei Wang
and 36.75%, respectively. Compared to the original Writing – original draft: Shiqiang Xie, Changlin Huang

Volume 1 Issue 4 (2025) 13 doi: 10.36922/ESAM025430030