BLT-Ti₂AlNb Powder Metal Additive Manufacturing

Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) has introduced its new BLT-Ti₂AlNb powder, designed specifically for additive manufacturing in aerospace and automotive applications. This innovative material addresses the growing demand for high-temperature, lightweight, and structural components.

BLT identifies Ti₂AlNb as a standout alloy with an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, impressive high-temperature performance, and superior resistance to oxidation and corrosion. These qualities make it ideal for industries aiming for improved performance and efficiency.

Traditional methods for producing Ti₂AlNb parts face significant challenges, such as the alloy’s poor room-temperature plasticity and thermal deformability. However, BLT believes advancements in additive manufacturing offer new solutions. By utilizing advanced inert gas atomization. BLT has developed the BLT-Ti₂AlNb powder and optimized processing techniques to reduce satellite powder occurrences. This approach ensures consistent mass production of high-quality material.

The nominal chemical composition of BLT-Ti₂AlNb powder is Ti-22Al-25Nb, with a particle size ranging from 15-53μm. The alloy exhibits excellent properties at both room and high temperatures, sustaining prolonged use at temperatures between 800℃ and 900℃. Parts produced from this powder demonstrate remarkable mechanical properties. Such as tensile strength of 250-270 MPa, yield strength of 140-160 MPa, and elongation of 38.8%-42.8% at high temperatures.

To showcase the material’s potential, BLT has created a demonstration sample of a flow channel using BLT-Ti₂AlNb. This sample represents a typical structure found in actively cooled liquid engines, featuring multiple rectangular flow channels integrated into its design. The compact structure, with walls as thin as 1mm, highlights the selective laser melting (SLM) capabilities of the BLT-Ti₂AlNb material.

BLT has refined key production parameters such as scanning speed, laser power, scanning spacing, and preheating temperature to optimize the creation of Ti₂AlNb-based components. These optimized parameters are now applicable across all BLT commercial equipment, enabling the production of dense, crack-free parts with consistent quality.

Global interest in Ti₂AlNb materials has surged in recent years, but successful production through additive manufacturing remains limited. BLT’s achievement in mass-producing high-quality BLT-Ti₂AlNb powder advances research in additive manufacturing processes and microstructures while promoting large-scale engineering applications of Ti₂AlNb parts across various industries.

With this launch, BLT strengthens its position as a leader in material innovation, paving the way for improved performance in aerospace and automotive sectors.