Green electrochemical polishing of EBM Ti6Al4V samples with preliminary fatigue results

Abstract Additive manufacturing technologies have several well-known advantages; however, the surface quality of printed parts is poor, compromising corrosion and mechanical properties. Thus, finishing treatments are necessary. The most post-processing proposed in literature or chemical. formers contact techniques cannot be suitable for complex geometry, while latter use strong dangerous reagents. This paper aimed to investigate effect electropolishing treatment, a contactless technique, using an eco-friendly electrolytic solution reducing roughness improving fatigue properties Ti6Al4V specimens produced by electron beam melting technology. Several parameters affecting effectiveness treatment been investigated, as interelectrode distance, stirring rate duration time. An optimal combination them allowed uniform significant reduction (64% Sa cylindrical specimens). Under sinusoidal loading conditions with maximum stress 378 MPa ratio equal R = 0.1, mean life electropolished dog-bone was 250% longer than that as-built specimens.