Microstructure and mechanical properties of the near-beta titanium alloy Ti-5553 processed by selective laser melting

Highlights: • The alloy Ti-5553 was successfully processed by selective laser melting with a relative density of more than 99%. • The produced samples are characterized by a pure β-phase microstructure. • A weak texturizing along the building direction could be detected by electron backscatter diffraction. • The SLM-prepared specimen demonstrated a strength of about 800 MPa in tensile load. The aerospace industry continuously demands new materials with high strength and low density like the investigated near-β titanium alloy Ti-5553. Lately, a new need for parts with designs concerning the force flow instead of the process ability with conventional methods is rising. Therefore, additive manufacturing methods are gaining more and more in importance. In this study we processed the Ti-5553 alloy by selective laser melting (SLM), which is one of these methods. Bulk samples with a density of 99.95% were built. X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction show a pure β-phase microstructure. Mechanical tests exhibit a tensile strength of about 800 MPa and a strain up to 14%. These results demonstrate the possibility of processing this alloy by SLM.