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Highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes were obtained by anodization on Ti6Al4V substrates manufactured by electron beam powder bed fusion (E-PBF). Effects of anodization parameters such as anodizing time, stirring, fluoride concentration, and water content were analyzed in an organic electrolyte (ethylene glycol) that contains ammonium fluoride. The ordering of the nanotubes was measured by regularity ratio calculations based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) from SEM images. It was found that for the processed specimens, the highest ordering of the TiO2 nanotubes was reached at 30 V for 5000 s with a concentration of 9 vol% H2O and 0.4 wt.% NH4F, exhibiting nanotubes free of delamination, cracks, and coral-like structures with a regularity ratio (RR) of 1.91. This work offers a simple method for creating homogeneous and organized TiO2 nanotubes on Ti6Al4V substrates manufactured by E-PBF which potentially improves its functionality in diverse industrial applications such as nanosensors, controlled-release substances, solar cells, water splitting, electrochromic devices, and Li-ion battery anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is on its way to industrialization. One of the most promising techniques within this field, electron beam melting (EBM), is nowadays used mostly for the fabrication of high‐performance Ti‐based alloy components for the aerospace and medical industry. Among the industrial applications envisioned for the future of EBM, the fabrication of high carbon steels for the tooling industry is of great interest. In this context, the process windows for dense and crack‐free specimens for a highly alloyed (Cr–Mo–V) cold‐work steel powder are presented in this article. High‐solidification rates during EBM processing lead to very fine and homogeneous microstructures. The influence of process parameters on the resulting microstructure and the chemical composition is investigated. In addition, preliminary results show very promising mechanical properties regarding the as‐built and heat‐treated microstructure of the obtained material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a highly alloyed cold work tool steel, Uddeholm Vanadis 4 Extra, was manufactured via the electron beam melting (EBM) technique. The corresponding material microstructure and carbide precipitation behavior as well as the microstructural changes after heat treatment were characterized, and key mechanical properties were investigated. In the as-built condition, the microstructure consists of a discontinuous network of very fine primary Mo- and V-rich carbides dispersed in an auto-tempered martensite matrix together with ≈15% of retained austenite. Adjusted heat treatment procedures allowed optimizing the microstructure by the elimination of Mo-rich carbides and the precipitation of fine and different sized V-rich carbides, along with a decrease in the retained austenite content below 2%. Hardness response, compressive strength, and abrasive wear properties of the EBM-manufactured material are similar or superior to its as-HIP forged counterparts manufactured using traditional powder metallurgy route. In the material as built by EBM, an impact toughness of 16–17 J was achieved. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) was applied in order to further increase ductility and to investigate its impact upon the microstructure and properties of the material. After HIPing with optimized protocols, the ductility increased over 20 J. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]