ASTM F3001-14(2021)

Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) with Powder Bed Fusion

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the requirements for additively manufactured titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium with extra low interstitials (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) components using full-melt powder bed fusion such as electron beam melting and laser melting. The standard covers the classification of materials, ordering information, manufacturing plan, feedstock, process, chemical composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal processing, hot isostatic pressing, dimensions and mass, permissible variations, retests, inspection, rejection, certification, product marking and packaging, and quality program requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers additively manufactured titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium with extra low interstitials (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) components using full-melt powder bed fusion such as electron beam melting and laser melting. The components produced by these processes are used typically in applications that require mechanical properties similar to machined forgings and wrought products. Components manufactured to this specification are often, but not necessarily, post processed via machining, grinding, electrical discharge machining (EDM), polishing, and so forth to achieve desired surface finish and critical dimensions.  
1.2 This specification is intended for the use of purchasers or producers or both of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V ELI components for defining the requirements and ensuring component properties.  
1.3 Users are advised to use this specification as a basis for obtaining components that will meet the minimum acceptance requirements established and revised by consensus of the members of the committee.  
1.4 User requirements considered more stringent may be met by the addition to the purchase order of one or more supplementary requirements, which may include, but are not limited to, those listed in S1-S4 and S1-S16 in Specification F2924.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2021
• ICS: 77.120.50 - Titanium and titanium alloys
• Technical Committee: F42 - Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Drafting Committee: F42.05 - Materials and Processes

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E407-23 - Standard Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18(2023) - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023
• Refers: ASTM E1820-20 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM E1820-20e1 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM E539-19 - Standard Test Method for Analysis of Titanium Alloys by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Refers: ASTM E1820-18ae1 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1820-18a - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM B243-18 - Standard Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1820-18 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness
• Effective Date: 01-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18 - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1820-17 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM E238-17a - Standard Test Method for Pin-Type Bearing Test of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Refers: ASTM E238-17 - Standard Test Method for Pin-Type Bearing Test of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Refers: ASTM E8/E8M-16 - Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2016

Overview

ASTM F3001-14(2021) is the internationally recognized standard specification for additively manufactured components made from Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium ELI (Extra Low Interstitial), fabricated by full-melt powder bed fusion processes such as electron beam melting and selective laser melting. This standard was developed by ASTM Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies and is designed to ensure consistent quality, properties, and performance of titanium alloy parts, particularly for applications requiring mechanical properties similar to those achieved with conventional wrought and forged materials.

By establishing essential requirements for materials, processing, inspection, and verification, ASTM F3001-14(2021) supports the reliable production of critical components, particularly in highly regulated fields such as medical devices and aerospace.

Key Topics

• Material Classification: Defines classes for various post-processing conditions including stress relief, annealing, solution treatment, hot isostatic pressing, and others.
• Feedstock and Powder Requirements: Specifies requirements for metal powder feedstock, including type, size distribution, purity, and chemical composition, to ensure powder is free of damaging inclusions or impurities.
• Manufacturing Plan: Outlines mandatory elements for manufacturing planning such as machine qualification, digital file traceability, powder handling, and operator approval.
• Processing Controls: Details requirements for build chamber environment, calibration, and monitoring of process parameters to maintain component quality.
• Chemical and Mechanical Properties: Provides guidelines for chemical composition, microstructure (including prohibited features such as alpha case), and minimum mechanical properties like tensile strength and elongation.
• Quality Management: Requires suppliers to have quality programs in line with international standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 13485.
• Inspection and Testing: Requires robust inspection, regular powder analysis, documentation of build data, and allows for retesting in case of non-conforming results.

Applications

ASTM F3001-14(2021) is widely used for:

• Medical Implants: Suitable for manufacturing orthopedic implants, dental fixtures, and other surgically implanted devices where biocompatibility and mechanical strength are critical.
• Aerospace Components: Supports the production of lightweight, high-strength parts for aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems.
• Industrial Tooling and Prototyping: Useful for high-performance prototype parts, custom tooling, and low-volume production parts in demanding environments.
• Energy and Automotive Sectors: Employed in specialized parts subject to high mechanical and thermal loads.

The standard's detailed requirements for chemical composition, feedstock control, and mechanical properties help ensure safety, reliability, and repeatability-requirements essential for regulated and mission-critical applications.

Related Standards

• ASTM F2924: Specification for additive manufacturing of Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium with powder bed fusion, providing foundational process requirements integrated into F3001.
• ASTM F136: Specification for wrought Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium ELI alloy, notably referenced for chemical composition.
• ISO 5832-3: International standard for wrought titanium alloys used in surgical implants.
• ISO/ASTM 52915: Specification for additive manufacturing file formats (AMF).
• ISO 13485: Quality management systems for medical devices.
• ISO 9001 / AS9100: General and aerospace quality management system requirements.
• SAE AMS 2801 / AMSH81200: Standards for heat treatment of titanium alloys.

Practical Value

Compliance with ASTM F3001-14(2021) ensures components made from additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V ELI can be reliably produced and consistently meet stringent industry requirements. By following this standard, manufacturers, purchasers, and end-users can:

• Standardize procurement and acceptance criteria
• Reduce manufacturing risks
• Achieve traceability and quality assurance
• Facilitate regulatory approval, especially in medical and aerospace fields

Keywords: additive manufacturing, titanium alloy, powder bed fusion, Ti-6Al-4V ELI, electron beam melting, selective laser melting, ASTM F3001, metal 3D printing, medical implants, aerospace components, quality control.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F3001 −14 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Additive Manufacturing Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium
ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) with Powder Bed Fusion
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3001; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification covers additively manufactured 2.1 ASTM Standards:
titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium with extra low interstitials B214 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Metal Powders
(Ti-6Al-4V ELI) components using full-melt powder bed B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
fusion such as electron beam melting and laser melting. The B600 Guide for Descaling and Cleaning Titanium and Tita-
components produced by these processes are used typically in nium Alloy Surfaces
applications that require mechanical properties similar to B769 Test Method for Shear Testing of Aluminum Alloys
machined forgings and wrought products. Components manu- D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
factured to this specification are often, but not necessarily, post E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
processed via machining, grinding, electrical discharge ma- E8/E8M Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Ma-
chining (EDM), polishing, and so forth to achieve desired terials
surface finish and critical dimensions. E9 Test Methods of Compression Testing of Metallic Mate-
rials at Room Temperature
1.2 This specification is intended for the use of purchasers
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
or producers or both of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V
Sieves
ELI components for defining the requirements and ensuring
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
component properties.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.3 Users are advised to use this specification as a basis for
E238 Test Method for Pin-Type Bearing Test of Metallic
obtaining components that will meet the minimum acceptance
Materials
requirements established and revised by consensus of the
E407 Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys
members of the committee.
E539 Test Method for Analysis of Titanium Alloys by
1.4 User requirements considered more stringent may be WavelengthDispersiveX-RayFluorescenceSpectrometry
E1409 Test Method for Determination of Oxygen and Nitro-
met by the addition to the purchase order of one or more
supplementary requirements, which may include, but are not gen in Titanium and TitaniumAlloys by Inert Gas Fusion
E1447 Test Method for Determination of Hydrogen in Tita-
limited to, those listed in S1-S4 and S1-S16 in Specification
F2924. nium and Titanium Alloys by Inert Gas Fusion Thermal
Conductivity/Infrared Detection Method
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E1820 Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E1941 Test Method for Determination of Carbon in Refrac-
standard.
tory andReactive Metals andTheirAlloys byCombustion
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Analysis
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E2371 Test Method for Analysis of Titanium and Titanium
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Alloys by Direct Current Plasma and Inductively Coupled
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (Performance-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Based Test Methodology)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
F136 Specification for Wrought Titanium-6Aluminum-
4Vanadium ELI (Extra Low Interstitial)Alloy for Surgical
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F42 on
Additive Manufacturing Technologies and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee F42.05 on Materials and Processes. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F3001-14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F3001-14R21 the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3001−14 (2021)
Implant Applications (UNS R56401) 4.1.1 Class A components shall be stress relieved or an-
F2792 Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technolo- nealed per Section 12.
gies (Withdrawn 2015) 4.1.2 Class B components shall be annealed per Section 12.
F2924 Specification for Additive Manufacturing Titanium-6 4.1.3 Class C components shall be hot isostatically pressed
Aluminum-4 Vanadium with Powder Bed Fusion per Section 13.
2.2 ISO/ASTM Standards: 4.1.4 Class D components shall be solution heat treated and
52915 Specification forAdditive Manufacturing File Format aged per Section 12.
(AMF) Version 1.1 4.1.5 For Class E components all thermal post processing
52921 Terminology for Additive Manufacturing— shall be optional.
Coordinate Systems and Test Methodologies 4.1.6 Class F components shall be stress relieved or an-
2.3 ASQ Standard: nealed per Section 12.
ASQ C1 Specification of General Requirements for a Qual-
5. Ordering Information
ity Program
2.4 ISO Standards:
5.1 Orders for components compliant with this specification
ISO 5832-3 Implants for Surgery—Metallic Materials—Part
shall include the following to describe the requirements ad-
3: Wrought Titanium 6-Aluminum 4-Vanadium Alloy
equately:
Third Edition
5.1.1 This specification designation,
ISO 6892 Metallic Materials—Tensile Testing at Ambient
5.1.2 Description or part number of product desired,
Temperature
5.1.3 Quantity of product desired,
ISO 9001 Quality Management System—Requirements
5.1.4 Classification,
ISO 9044 IndustrialWovenWire Cloth –Technical Require-
5.1.5 SI or SAE units,
ments and Testing
5.1.5.1 Discussion—The STL file format used by many
ISO 13485 Medical devices—Quality management
powder bed fusion machines does not contain units of mea-
systems—Requirements for regulatory purposes
surementasmetadata.WhenonlySTLfilesareprovidedbythe
2.5 SAE Standards:
purchaser, ordering information should specify the units of the
AMS 2249 Chemical Check Analysis Limits Titanium and
component along with the electronic data file. More informa-
Titanium Alloys
tion about data files can be found in ISO/ASTM 52915.
AMS 2801 Heat Treat of Titanium Alloys
5.1.6 Dimensions and tolerances (Section 14),
AMSH81200 Heat Treatment of Titanium and Titanium
5.1.7 Mechanical properties (Section 11),
Alloys
5.1.8 Methods for chemical analysis (Section 9),
AS1814 Terminology for Titanium Microstructures
5.1.9 Sampling methods (S11 in F2924),
AS9100 Quality Systems—Aerospace—Model for Quality
5.1.10 Post-processing sequence of operations,
Assurance in Design, Development, Production, Installa-
5.1.11 Thermal processing,
tion and Servicing
5.1.12 Allowable porosity (S8 in F2924),
5.1.13 Component marking such as labeling the serial or lot
3. Terminology
number in the CAD file prior to the build cycle, or product
3.1 Terminology relating to titanium microstructure in
tagging,
AS1814 shall apply.
5.1.14 Packaging,
5.1.15 Certification,
3.2 Terminology relating to additive manufacturing in Ter-
5.1.16 Disposition of rejected material (Section 15), and
minology F2792 shall apply.
5.1.17 Supplementary requirements.
3.3 TerminologyrelatingtocoordinatesystemsinTerminol-
ogy 52921 shall apply.
6. Manufacturing Plan
3.4 Terminology relating to powder metallurgy inTerminol-
6.1 Class A, B, C, D, and F components manufactured to
ogy B243 shall apply.
thisspecificationshallhaveamanufacturingplanthatincludes,
but is not limited to, the following:
3.5 Terminology relating to powder bed fusion in Specifi-
6.1.1 A machine, and manufacturing control system, quali-
cation F2924 shall apply.
fication procedure as agreed between component supplier and
4. Classification
purchaser;
4.1 Unless otherwise specified herein, all classifications
NOTE 1—Qualification procedures typically require qualification build
shall meet the requirements in each section of this standard.
cycles in which mechanical property test specimens are prepared and
measured in accordance with Section 11 or other applicable standards.
Location, orientation on the build platform, number of test specimens for
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
each machine qualification build cycle, and relationship between speci-
www.astm.org.
4 men test results and component quality shall be agreed upon between
Available from American Society for Quality (ASQ), 600 N. Plankinton Ave.,
component supplier and purchaser.
Milwaukee, WI 53203, http://www.asq.org.
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
6.1.2 Feedstock that meets the requirements of Section 7;
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
6.1.3 The machine identification, including machine soft-
Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr.,Warrendale,
PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org. ware version, manufacturing control system version (if
F3001−14 (2021)
FIG. 1Build Platform Coordinates for Test Specimens (for reference only)
TABLE 1 Composition
automated), build chamber environment, machine
Element min max
conditioning, and calibration information of the qualified
Aluminum 5.50 6.50
machine;
Vanadium 3.50 4.50
6.1.4 Predetermined process as substantiated by the quali- Iron . 0.25
Oxygen . 0.13
fication procedure;
Carbon . 0.08
6.1.5 Safeguards to ensure traceability of the digital files,
Nitrogen . 0.05
including design history of the components; Hydrogen . 0.012
Yttrium . 0.005
6.1.6 All the steps necessary to start the build process,
Other elements, each . 0.10
including build platform selection, machine cleaning, and
Other elements, total . 0.40
powder handling; Titanium remainder
6.1.7 The requirements for approving machine operators;
6.1.8 Logging of machine build data files, upper and lower
limits of the parameters affecting component quality and other
7.4 Used powder is allowed. The proportion of virgin
process validation controls;
powder to used powder shall be recorded and reported for each
6.1.9 The number of components per build cycle, their
production run. The maximum number of times used powder
orientation and location on the build platform, and support
can be used as well as the number of times any portion of a
structures, if required;
powder lot can be processed in the build chamber should be
6.1.10 Process steps including, but not limited to, Section 8;
agreed upon between component supplier and purchaser for
6.1.11 Post-processing procedure, including sequence of the
Class A, B, C, D, and F. There are no limits on the number of
post-processing steps and the specifications for each step;
build cycles for used powder for Class E components. After a
6.1.12 Thermal processing including furnace anneal, hot
build cycle, any remaining used powder may be blended with
isostatic pressing, heat treat, and aging; and
virgin powder to maintain a powder quantity large enough for
6.1.13 Inspection requirements as agreed between the pur-
the next build cycle. The chemical composition of used
chaser and component supplier, including any supplementary
powders shall be analyzed regularly, as agreed upon between
requirements.
component supplier and purchaser. Powder not conforming to
7. Feedstock Table 1 or 7.7 shall not be further processed in the machine to
manufacture Class A, B, C, D and F components.
7.1 The feedstock for this specification shall be metal
7.4.1 All used powder shall be sieved with a sieve having a
powder, as defined in Terminology B243, that has the powder
mesh size appropriate for removing any agglomerates or
type, size distribution, shape, tap density, and flow rate
contaminants from the build cycle.
acceptable for the process as determined by the component
supplier. 7.5 All powder sieves used to manufacture ClassA, B, C, D
and F components shall have a certificate of conformance that
7.2 The metal powder shall be free from detrimental
they were manufactured to ISO 9044 or all powder sieving
amounts of inclusions and impurities and its chemical compo-
shall be in conformance with Specification E11.
sition shall be adequate to yield, after processing, the final
material chemistry listed in Table 1. 7.6 Sieve analysis of used powder or powder lots during
incoming inspection or in-process inspection shall be made in
7.3 Powder blends are allowed unless otherwise specified
accordance with Test Method B214 or as agreed between
between the component supplier and component purchaser, as
component supplier and purchaser.
long as all powder used to create the powder blend meets the
requirements in Table 1 and lot numbers are documented and 7.7 The maximum percentage
...