Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Ti6Al4v Components Made in Additive Manufacturing

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanical properties of the specimens made of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy with EBM additive technology. Tensile tests on the component are carried out on “dog bone” specimens, of fixed dimensions, printed with orientations of 0°, 45°, and 90°. The results of the experimental campaign confirm the influence printing parameters of the technology on the mechanical performance of the components. Subsequently, the numerical-structural analysis carried out on the Octet-Truss elementary cell in Ti6Al4V titanium alloy shows that the mechanical behavior of the cell is influenced by the material growth orientation and confirmed that the orientation of 45° guarantees cells more resistant to loads of traction, while the orientations of 0° and 90° make up more deformable cells. The investigation of the mechanical properties of the components involved specimens with a solid material configuration and specimens is emptied by means of reticular structures. The results of the survey are compared with the same volume and with the same analysis. Direct observation of the stress–strain curves reveals a difference in the value of the elastic modulus, resulting in a linear section of the curve that is less steep in the case of the assembled component. The choice of the printing parameters is a crucial point in the construction process of the components made in Additive Manufacturing since, as confirmed by this study, the parameters of the technology influence the properties of the material and therefore of the printed component. Secondly, exploiting the potential of additive technologies in creating structures with complex geometry (such as lattice structures), offers the possibility, not only to reduce the weight of the components, but also to improve the final performance.