A Novel Approach to Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V Alloy via In-situ Alloying with Boron
This study presents a novel approach to enhance the mechanical properties of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloy through in-situ alloying with boron. Boron was introduced into the titanium alloy matrix during the laser powder bed fusion process, resulting in a refined microstructure and improved tensile strength and ductility. The effects of boron content on the microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that the addition of 0.5 wt% boron leads to a significant grain refinement, with a reduction in prior β grain size from 200 μm to 50 μm. Consequently, the yield strength increased by 15% and the elongation improved by 20% compared to the unmodified alloy. The underlying strengthening mechanisms, including grain boundary strengthening and solid solution strengthening, are discussed. This work provides a promising pathway for tailoring the mechanical performance of additively manufactured titanium alloys for high-performance applications.