Laves phases in selective laser melted TiCr1.78 alloys for hydrogen storage

Hydrogen is one of the most promising clean energy carriers within alternative fuels. The need for its absorption/release at reasonable p/T conditions within materials, like metallic Ti-Cr alloys, is primary for its use in renewable and sustainable energy applications. In this work TiCr1.78 compound was produced via selective laser melting (SLM) first time. Due to lack of commercially available powders of Ti-Cr compositions, two powders prototype precursors, premixed or prealloyed, were prepared and investigated. Correlation among powder type and microstructure of SLM built was studied. Prealloyed powders allowed Laves phases to be obtained in SLM parts while premixed did not fully react. Relative density of SLM products was strictly correlated to energy density.