Abstract
Laser metal deposition (LMD) presents a suitable
substitute for conventional machining of titanium products. It is
an additive manufacturing technology used to build prototypes,
models, tools, dies and end products. The process is used to
manufacture components from materials, which are difficult to
machine through conventional methods. Titanium and its alloys
are one of the difficult materials to machine since they cause
galling on the cutting tool. This paper reports on the material
characterization of Laser Metal deposited TiC on Titanium
alloy grade 5 and the effect of varying the powder flow rate on
the evolving properties of the material. The clads were
characterized through microstructural analysis, hardness and
degree of porosity. The physical appearances of the samples
appeared sound without defect. However, the surfaces of the
samples were rough. Furthermore, the average microhardness
decreased as the powder flow rate was increased. The
microstructural evaluation revealed that the grain size in the
deposit zone becomes shorter as the powder flow rate was
increased. The microstructure in the heat-affected zone had
smaller grain sizes relative to the grain sizes in the deposit zone.
In addition, the porosity characterization revealed that the
number of pores increases when the powder flow rate increases.