Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al is a metastable beta titanium alloy offering excellent cold formability, high specific strength, and low elastic modulus. It is widely used in aerospace and motorsport industries where weight reduction, weldability, and toughness are key.
With advanced titanium 3D printing, Ti-15-3 enables the production of lightweight, structurally optimized parts such as airframe ribs, control components, and high-performance brackets, allowing engineers to realize highly efficient, complex geometries with reduced material waste.
Country/Region | Standard | Grade or Designation |
---|---|---|
USA | UNS | R58153 |
USA | AMS | AMS 4914 / AMS 4916 |
Russia | GOST | VT22L |
China | GB | TB3 |
Category | Property | Value |
---|---|---|
Physical Properties | Density | 4.72 g/cm³ |
Melting Range | 1575–1640°C | |
Thermal Conductivity (20°C) | 6.0 W/(m·K) | |
Thermal Expansion (20–500°C) | 8.8 µm/(m·K) | |
Chemical Composition (%) | Titanium (Ti) | Balance |
Vanadium (V) | 14.5–15.5 | |
Chromium (Cr) | 2.5–3.5 | |
Tin (Sn) | 2.5–3.5 | |
Aluminum (Al) | 2.5–3.5 | |
Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength | ≥1150 MPa |
Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥1100 MPa | |
Elongation at Break | ≥10% | |
Modulus of Elasticity | 97 GPa | |
Hardness (HRC) | 32–36 |
Ti-15-3 is compatible with Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). These processes allow for the precision fabrication of beta-phase titanium components with complex structures and excellent mechanical performance.
Technology | Precision | Surface Quality | Mechanical Properties | Application Suitability |
---|---|---|---|---|
SLM | ±0.05–0.2 mm | Excellent | Excellent | Aerospace Ribs, Thin Frames |
DMLS | ±0.05–0.2 mm | Very Good | Excellent | Motorsport Brackets, Connectors |
EBM | ±0.1–0.3 mm | Good | Very Good | Large-Scale Aerospace Parts |
SLM is ideal for lightweight aerospace brackets, with fine geometry, low distortion, and tight dimensional tolerance (±0.05–0.2 mm).
DMLS offers flexibility in manufacturing medium-sized beta titanium components with consistent strength and moderate surface finish.
EBM is suitable for printing large parts where precision requirements are moderate (±0.1–0.3 mm) and thermal performance is critical.
Residual stresses due to rapid thermal cycling can be mitigated using optimized support structures and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) at 850–900°C and 100–150 MPa to improve fatigue strength and dimensional stability.
Porosity formation is minimized through fine-tuned parameters (laser power: 250–350 W; scan speed: 600–1000 mm/s) and HIP processing, achieving >99.8% part density.
Surface roughness (Ra 8–15 µm) may affect fatigue life and surface contact. CNC machining or electropolishing improves finish to Ra 0.4–1.0 µm.
Beta alloys are sensitive to oxygen contamination—handling under controlled atmosphere (O₂ < 200 ppm, RH < 5%) preserves ductility and toughness.
Ti-15-3 is used across sectors where lightweight and cold-formable titanium is required:
Aerospace: Structural ribs, panels, wing attachments, and hydraulic tubing.
Motorsport: Suspension arms, brackets, and load-bearing connectors.
Industrial: Lightweight robotic parts and corrosion-resistant structural frames.
A leading aerospace supplier used SLM to produce Ti-15-3 fuselage components, achieving 22% weight savings and 15% increase in fatigue life, supporting fuel efficiency and structural optimization.
What are the key benefits of Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al in aerospace 3D printing?
Which 3D printing methods are best suited for Ti-15-3 alloy?
How does Ti-15-3 compare to Ti-6Al-4V in terms of ductility and formability?
What post-processing is required to optimize Ti-15-3 part performance?
What industries benefit most from beta titanium alloy 3D printing?