Multi-material 3D printing of titanium and aluminium alloys

Additive manufacturing of multi-material components is a promising way to produce parts that combine the properties of different materials. The thesis deals with the research, optimization of process parameters and methodology to produce multi-material parts using the SLM method. The aim is to create a mechanically durable interface between two materials based on titanium and aluminium. In order to determine the suitable combination of materials, a single track test was performed, which also established the initial process parameters and the effect of increased preheating temperature on the formation of defects at the material interface. This test provided the basis for the printing of bulk samples whose interfaces were analysed in detail using light microscopy, microhardness testing and EDS. Finally, the mechanical resistance of the interface was verified by tensile testing. According to the results of the single track test, titanium alloy Ti6Al4V in combination with aluminium alloy AlSi10Mg was selected. In further tests, it was found that if the preheating temperature is increased from 200 °C to 300 °C, the number of cracks at the interface is reduced by 31 %. The combination of increased preheating temperature and appropriate process parameters produced a crack-free material interface that exhibited high mechanical durability. The thesis provides a summary overview of the issues related to multi-material metal printing and the causes of individual defects that the interface of two different materials faces. The thesis may serve as a basis for further research on multi-material metal printing