Surface Modification of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy with a Low-Energy, High-Current Electron Beam at Elevated Initial Temperatures

Surface topography, evolution of chemical and phase composition of the surface layers of Ti-6Al-4V alloy subjected to multiple pulsed electron-beam melting at the initial temperature of the target To ranging from 20 to 550 °С have been investigated using optical, laser microscopy, SEM/EDS, AES and XRD analyses. Pulsed melting was induced by a low-energy (~20 keV), high-current electron beam (3 µs, 2.5 J/cm2). At To<200 °С the cleaning of the near-surface layer from oxygen takes place. In contrast, at To<400 °С a 1 µm thick surface layer quenched from the melt is enriched with oxygen from the residual gases of vacuum chamber.
The influence of initial temperature on the microstructure and properties of the surface layers are discussed based on the results of temperature field predictions.