Cyclic elastoplastic behaviour, hardness and microstructural properties of Ti-6Al-4V manufactured through selective laser melting

Additive manufacturing methods have been increasingly attracting the attention of researchers and engineers due to offered advantages in this regard. Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing process which is used to produce complex shaped parts. Limited research has been reported so far on the cyclic elastoplastic response of SLM Ti-6Al-4V, a technologically significant phenomenon affecting the low and high cycle fatigue performance of the fabricated parts. This research presents preliminary results obtained from an in-progress mechanical characterisation campaign conducted on SLM Ti-6Al-4V specimens. Experimental data from uniaxial strain controlled tests are presented in conjunction with surface hardness measurements and an examination of the microstructural characteristics of the materials. Wrought material data, obtained from testing and the literature are utilised for comparison. Preliminary findings of ongoing research provide an insight in the elastoplastic behaviour anticipated for this class of metals.