The optimisation of processing parameters and characterisation of microstructure of direct laser fabricated TiAl alloy components

Direct laser fabrication has been used to fabricate simple shapes of TiAl alloy material using gas atomised Ti–48Al–2Mn–2Nb powders as a feedstock material. The influence of processing parameters (laser power, scan-rate, z-increment, powder feed rate and powder size) on the build height and width and on the micro- and macrostructure of the laser-processed powder have been studied. The range of processing parameters which allow a component to be made with constant build rate has been identified. Microhardness measurements have been carried out to examine the uniformity of the powder deposition.