`

TLDR:

• Scientists in China and the US have created the world’s strongest titanium alloy using 3D printing technology.
• By developing a process called Net-AM processing, researchers were able to eliminate gas pores in the material, resulting in a significant increase in its fatigue strength.

A recent study published in the journal Nature has highlighted a groundbreaking advancement in 3D printing technology for a titanium alloy, with researchers achieving a doubling in the material’s resilience. This development, a collaboration between scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of California, Berkeley, has shown promising prospects for the aerospace industry.

The research team addressed a common issue in metal 3D printing – the formation of gas pores during the process, which can reduce the fatigue life of the material. By implementing a new technique called Net-AM processing, the scientists were able to produce a titanium-aluminium-vanadium alloy free of pores, resulting in a 106% improvement in tensile fatigue strength. This breakthrough has opened up possibilities for industries that require lightweight materials, such as aerospace and new energy vehicles.

While the material has only been produced at a sample scale so far, researchers are optimistic about its potential applications. The development of void-free microstructures could have implications beyond titanium alloys, inspiring new research directions for additive manufacturing technology.

Overall, this significant achievement in 3D printing technology showcases the potential for further advancements in material science and industrial applications, with the collaboration between China and the US paving the way for future innovation and growth in the field.