Beamit Develops AM Process for Ti6242

The Beamit Group has developed an additive manufacturing (AM) process for Ti6242 alloy, which provides resistance to high temperatures, and has a tensile strength to 1000 MPa and a density of 4.5 g/cm³.The process yields a titanium-alloy product that reportedly withstands temperatures to 550 C and enables printing of complex shapes. 

The motorsport sector has been looking at 3D-printed titanium alloys for high-temperature applications since 2019, according to Beamit officials, to replace production via conventional processes such as forging. While some materials used to produce motorsport and automotive components achieve similar levels of tensile strength, Beamit officials note, they are significantly heavier. Motorsport applications can benefit from the strength and lightweighting capabilities of AM Ti6242, such as exhausts, traditionally produced with nickel superalloys.AM Ti6242 also proves ideal for aerospace components.

In development, Beamit first conducted an in-depth study to see which titanium alloys could be processed through laser powder-bed fusion, with Ti6242 producing the best performance. The aim then: Optimize the material’s mechanical properties at temperature. 

“Development of the Ti6242 process began in 2019 as part of a thesis project in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano university” says Alessandro Rizzi, Beamit Group materials and special process manager. “The material adapted perfectly to laser powder-bed fusion, but our real focus was on the heat treatments. We devised different vacuum cycles to optimize its mechanical properties at room temperature and at high temperatures, and also developed the integrated high-pressure heat treatment process.” 

See also: Beamit

Technologies: Metal Powders

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