Development of titanium boride (TiB) dispersed titanium (Ti) matrix composite by direct laser cladding

The present study aims at development of TiB dispersed alpha-Ti matrix composite by laser melting of Ti-2 wt.% B alloy powder (of particle size ranging from 50-100 mu m) using a high power diode laser with argon shroud and depositing the molten alloy on a Ti-6Al-4 V substrate in a layer by layer fashion (up to a maximum of 5 layers were built). Followed by direct laser cladding, the characteristics and mechanical properties of the clad layer were investigated in details. Laser cladding led to formation of TiB dispersed a-Ti matrix composite with an average microhardness of 290 VHN to 500 VHN for different conditions of lasing. The average Young's modulus was considerably improved to 155-165 GPa. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.