Corrosion resistance of selective laser melted Ti–6Al–4V alloy in salt fog environment

In this study the corrosion resistance of an additively manufactured (AM) titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V (Ti64) in a simulated marine environment was investigated. Selective laser melting (SLM) process was used to fabricate Ti64 coupons that were tested in a simulated marine environment using a salt fog chamber. The corroded specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The AM printed Ti64 was determined to form a protective oxide layer that develops after approximately 400 ​h of exposure in a salt fog chamber, after which mass change plateaued. The protective oxide formed was determined to be a mixed oxide primarily consisting of TiO2and Al2O3.