Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the field of materials and metallurgical engineering by enabling the production of complex components with enhanced properties. This thesis focuses on the characterization and optimization of process parameters for titanium alloy components using additive manufacturing techniques. Titanium alloys are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical industries due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, the properties of titanium alloy components produced through AM are highly dependent on the process parameters employed during manufacturing. The introduction provides an overview of the significance of additive manufacturing in the production of titanium alloy components and outlines the research objectives. The background of the study discusses the current state of additive manufacturing technologies and their applications in the aerospace and medical sectors. The problem statement highlights the challenges faced in optimizing process parameters for titanium alloy components and the need for systematic characterization to achieve desired properties. The literature review delves into existing studies on the effects of various process parameters such as laser power, scan speed, and hatch distance on the microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium alloy components. This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of the key findings and identifies gaps in the current research that motivate the present study. The research methodology section details the experimental procedures employed to characterize and optimize the additive manufacturing process parameters for titanium alloy components. It includes information on the selection of titanium alloy materials, AM machine settings, sample preparation, and testing methods. The chapter also discusses the statistical analysis techniques used to evaluate the experimental results and optimize the process parameters. The findings chapter presents a detailed discussion of the experimental results, including microstructural analysis, hardness testing, and tensile testing of the manufactured titanium alloy components. The effects of process parameters on the material properties are analyzed, and the optimal parameter settings for achieving desired mechanical properties are determined. In conclusion, this thesis provides valuable insights into the characterization and optimization of additive manufacturing process parameters for titanium alloy components. The systematic experimental approach and detailed analysis of the results contribute to the understanding of the relationships between process parameters and material properties. The findings of this study can be applied to improve the quality and performance of titanium alloy components manufactured through additive manufacturing techniques, benefiting industries such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. Keywords Additive manufacturing, Titanium alloys, Process parameters, Optimization, Microstructure, Mechanical properties.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Characterization and Optimization of Additive Manufacturing Process Parameters for Titanium Alloy Components" aims to investigate and optimize the additive manufacturing process parameters specifically for titanium alloy components. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has gained significant attention in recent years for its ability to produce complex geometries with high precision. Titanium alloys are widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and biomedical due to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, the successful application of titanium alloy components produced via additive manufacturing relies heavily on the optimization of process parameters to ensure the desired mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy. The research will begin with a comprehensive review of the existing literature on additive manufacturing processes, specifically focusing on the processing of titanium alloys. This literature review will provide insights into the current state-of-the-art in additive manufacturing of titanium alloys, the various process parameters that influence the final properties of the components, and the challenges associated with optimizing these parameters. By analyzing and synthesizing the information gathered from the literature review, the research aims to identify gaps in knowledge and opportunities for further investigation. The experimental methodology will involve conducting a series of additive manufacturing experiments using a specific titanium alloy material. The process parameters to be investigated may include but are not limited to the laser power, scan speed, layer thickness, and scanning strategy. By systematically varying these parameters and analyzing the resulting microstructure, mechanical properties, and dimensional accuracy of the manufactured components, the research aims to establish correlations between the process parameters and the final properties of the titanium alloy components. The findings of the research will be presented and discussed in detail in the results and discussion chapter. The analysis of the experimental data will provide valuable insights into the effects of different process parameters on the microstructure and properties of the titanium alloy components. Furthermore, the research will explore methods for optimizing the process parameters to achieve the desired properties while minimizing defects and ensuring repeatability in the manufacturing process. In conclusion, this research project on the "Characterization and Optimization of Additive Manufacturing Process Parameters for Titanium Alloy Components" will contribute to the advancement of additive manufacturing technology for titanium alloys. By optimizing the process parameters, manufacturers can produce high-quality titanium alloy components with tailored properties for various applications, thereby expanding the use of additive manufacturing in industries where titanium alloys are essential. This research is significant as it addresses a critical aspect of additive manufacturing technology and has the potential to drive innovation and efficiency in the production of titanium alloy components.