Effect of process parameters on the phase transformation behavior and tensile properties of NiTi shape memory alloys fabricated by selective laser melting

In this work, we show that selective laser melting (SLM), apart from producing complex structures, can also act as a metallurgical method to modify the Ni/Ti ratio of NiTi shape memory alloys, and thus providing a feasible approach to tailor the transformation temperatures and to modify the mechanical performance of NiTi alloys. NiTi samples were fabricated by SLM with a large variation of process parameters, e.g. scanning speed (v) from 400 to 1200 mm s−1, hatch spacing (h) from 40 to 110 μm, and laser power (P) from 60 to 200 W. It is found that the martensite transformation temperature changes monotonously with the respective change of v, h or P. The composition analysis suggests that the different amount of Ni-loss under various SLM process conditions is the main reason for the evolution of transformation temperatures. Most importantly, good mechanical (total elongation >10 %) and functional properties under tensile mode have been obtained despite of the large variation of SLM process parameters and the presence of extensive defects. The good tensile properties and tailorable phase transformation temperatures will provide great potential to make novel NiTi smart structures.