# Titanium Additive Manufacturing with Powder Bed Fusion: A Bibliometric Perspective
## 4 Discussion  
By examining the frequency and evolution of key terms in the scientific literature, it becomes clear that research has significantly intensified over the past decade, particularly in areas related to material optimization, process advancements, and the influence of manufacturing parameters on the final product's properties. This section discusses the most prominent research themes identified through this analysis and explores their implications for the development and application of PBF technology in the context of titanium alloys. Figure 11 presents a frequency chart of the most common terms in the scientific literature on titanium AM using PBF. The most frequent terms, such as \"Powder Metals\" (8.32%), \"Additives\" (8.17%) and \"Powder Bed\" (7.83%), reflect that a significant field of the research is centered on the manipulation of metallic powders and the use of additives in the powder bed process. This dominance suggests a clear focus on optimizing the raw materials and enhancing the fundamental processes involved in PBF technology [4; 57]. Other notable terms include \"Laser Powders\" and \"3D Printers\", indicating that laser optimization and AM technologies are also critical areas of study that have been studied in different works [58; 59; 60]. Furthermore, the presence of \"Aluminum Alloys\" underscores that aluminum is the most used alloying element, which is consistent with the state of the art [31; 61]. The appearance of terms like \"Microstructure\" suggests a strong interest in how the AM process influences the internal structure of the material, affecting the final product's performance. Additionally, the term \"Selective Laser Melting\" highlights a greater focus on this technology for titanium printing compared to electron beam melting, another PBF technology, as discussed in the Section 1. Another frequently mentioned term is \"Porosity\", which represents a significant challenge in PBF technology. In some cases, however, controlled porosity is necessary for biomedical applications, where specific pore sizes can enhance biocompatibility and promote tissue integration [62; 63]. The presence of both terms, \"porosity\" and \"microstructure\", in most frequent words highlights critical issues in the structural integrity of produced components. Porosity, characterized by tiny voids within the material, can significantly compromise the structural health of a part, potentially leading to premature failure under stress. Similarly, the formation of fragile microstructures during the fusion process can result in brittle components unsuitable for many applications. To address these challenges, post-processing has become an integral part of the AM workflow. Common post-processing techniques include heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing, surface finishing methods (such as grinding, polishing, and shot peening), and additional machining [64; 65]. These processes aim to reduce porosity, refine the microstructure, relieve internal stresses, and improve surface quality. By implementing appropriate post-processing strategies, manufacturers can significantly enhance the me  
Figure 10: Word cloud. chanical properties, durabilityility, and overall performance of manufactured parts, making them suitable for even the most demanding applications. Figure 12 presents a line chart depicting the temporal evolution of the key terms identified in Figure 11 from 2015 to 2025, revealing several significant trends. From 2018 onward, there is a marked increase in the frequency of publications mentioning these terms, reflecting a surge in research activity related to titanium AM with PBF. This growth continues steadily until 2023, when many of the terms seem to plateau or reach a peak. \"Powder Metals\" and \"Additives\" emerge as the most frequently mentioned terms since 2020, highlighting that advancements and a comprehensive understanding of these base materials are essential for enhancing the PBF process.