Corrosion resistance of 3D-printed and cold-rolled titanium alloys at 600 °C in air and air-SO2 environments

The high-temperature corrosion of 3D-printed and cold-rolled Ti-6Al-4V at 600 °C under air and air-SO2 conditions was studied. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy were employed to characterize the corrosion products on investigated Ti-6Al-4V. Results showed that the weight gain of 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V was significantly higher than that of cold-rolled Ti-6Al-4V. Sulfur species caused more attack than oxygen at 600 °C due to the permeability of sulfur species. The corrosion of 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V was more serious than that of cold-rolled Ti-6Al-4V, which was attributed to the formation of α' phase during fast cooling of 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V.