Ti-6Al-4V (wire-DED)

Ti-6Al-4V printed by wire-fed laser directed energy deposition is the alpha-beta titanium alloy built by melting wire feedstock with a laser, bead on bead, into large near-net-shape forms. Parts solidify as coarse columnar prior-beta grains that grow through many layers, so properties differ along and across the build direction. The surface is rough and wavy, and residual stress and distortion are high, so parts usually need stress relief and machining, and inert gas shielding is needed to limit oxygen pick-up. Deposition is fast with little wasted material. Typical uses are large aerospace structural preforms, added features on wrought or forged bodies, and repair.