Work

Study on the Microstructure and Properties of TC4 Alloy Based on Water-Jet-Guided Laser Technology

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Ti–6Al–4V (TC4) dual-phase titanium alloy is widely used in aerospace components owing to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and high-temperature stability. However, conventional machining often generates a wide heat-affected zone (HAZ) and oxide or recast layers, which deteriorate the microstructure and reduce long-term reliability. In this study, the water-jet-guided laser (WJGL) process was applied to investigate how coupled laser–water interactions influence the groove morphology, elemental distribution, and crystallographic evolution of TC4 alloy. Under optimized parameters, the WJGL process reduced the HAZ width to less than 1 μm, effectively removed the resolidified layer, and suppressed surface oxidation. SEM, EDS, and EBSD analyses confirmed that the α + β dual-phase structure remained stable, with no significant phase transformation or grain coarsening. Compared with conventional laser cutting, WJGL achieved smoother surfaces, improved interfacial integrity, and reduced thermal damage. These findings highlight the potential of WJGL for precision machining of high-performance titanium alloys and provide theoretical and experimental support for enhancing the microstructural control and service reliability of aerospace TC4 components.

Source: Metals

DOI: 10.3390/met15111204

Authors: Hao Yang, Mingrui Lu, Jibin Zhao, Chongyang Han, Dongming Li, Boyu Sun

Institutions: Dalian Minzu University, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Laser Material Processing Techniques

Subfield: Computational Mechanics

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funders: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang Institute of Automation