| Abstract Scope |
Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–3Cr alloy (Ti-5553) is a near-β Ti alloy with an excellent combination of strength, toughness, and strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for fabricating complex aircraft structural components using additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Despite the advantages of AM, precision post-machining of holes is necessary for assembling airframes, including load-bearing fuselage components and landing gears. However, the different machinability that characterizes AM products significantly affects the manufacturing process. To address this, Ti-5553 samples were fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM), and holes were machined using vibration-assisted drilling (VAD) and conventional drilling (CD) under varying parameters. The machined surfaces and subsurfaces were characterized for microstructure, chemical composition, roughness, hardness, and defects. Overall, VAD enhanced surface integrity by facilitating chip evacuation and improving material flow. This study confirms VAD’s effectiveness for fabricating SLM-built components from difficult-to-cut materials, such as titanium alloys used in aerospace, defense, biomedical, and automotive industries. |