Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Cold Spray Additively Manufactured Titanium: Effects of Thermal Treatments

Author(s):

Leo M. D. Driggers, Kendrick H. Tran, Santiago Flores-Pereira, Clinton Strosser, Braden L. Miller, Joshua Cline, Matthew K. Dunstan, Isaac Nault, and Brady G. Butler

Abstract:

This study explores using cold spray additive manufacturing to produce high-performance components from commercially pure titanium. The as-sprayed material initially exhibited low mechanical performance with limited strength and ductility. However, heat treatments, including vacuum annealing and a thermochemical hydrogen-based process, significantly enhanced the material’s properties. Posttreatment samples demonstrated yield strengths exceeding 700 MPa, tensile strengths above 800 MPa, and elastic modulus values greater than 120 GPa, highlighting the potential of cold spray to produce strong, corrosion-resistant components from unalloyed titanium. While both heat treatments effectively improved mechanical performance, differences between the methods were minimal in properties such as toughness and hardness. The results demonstrate that combined with appropriate heat treatments, cold spray is a promising method for manufacturing titanium components with excellent strength and durability. This approach offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional titanium manufacturing, with opportunities for further optimization to meet the demands of advanced engineering applications.