Titanium Grain Refinement In Additive Manufacturing
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsZachary Loftus, Scott William Cochran, Michael A. Reale, Scott Wesley Smith
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Abstract
Provided herein are various enhancements for additive manufacturing using titanium and titanium alloy materials. In one example, a method includes inoculating a titanium material with ceramic particles that produce nucleation sites within the titanium material during successive melt and solidification steps of an additive manufacturing process. The nucleation sites promote grain nucleation during solidification of molten titanium material into solid titanium material during the additive manufacturing process.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- inoculating a titanium material with ceramic particles that produce nucleation sites within the titanium material during successive melt and solidification steps of an additive manufacturing process;
- and
- wherein the nucleation sites promote grain nucleation during solidification of molten titanium material into solid titanium material during the additive manufacturing process.
A composite material, comprising:
- a titanium material;
- an inoculant comprising ceramic particles embedded within the titanium material;
- wherein the inoculant is selected to establish generally equiaxed solidification of grains in the titanium material responsive to a sequence of melting and solidification that forms successive layers of the titanium material in an additive manufacturing process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.