Densification, microstructural features and tensile properties of selective laser melted AlMgSiScZr alloy from single track to block specimen

Abstract

The selective laser melting (SLM) processed aluminum alloys have already aroused researchers’ attention in aerospace, rail transport and petrochemical engineering due to the comprehensive advantages of low density, good corrosion resistance and high mechanical performance. In this paper, an Al-14.1Mg-0.47Si-0.31Sc-0.17Zr alloy was fabricated via SLM. The characteristics of single track at different process parameters, and the influence of hatch spacing on densification, microstructural features and tensile properties of block specimens were systematically studied. The hatch spacing has an influence on the overlap ratio of single track, and further affects the internal forming quality of printed specimen. At a laser power of 160 W and scanning speed of 400 mm/s, the densification of block specimen increased first and then decreased with the increase of hatch spacing. The nearly full dense specimen (98.7 %) with a tensile strength of 452 MPa was fabricated at a hatch spacing of 80 µm. Typical characteristics of dimple and cleavage on the tensile fracture of the AlMgSiScZr alloy showed the mixed fracture of ductility and brittleness.

Keywords

selective laser melting / aluminum alloy / hatch spacing / microstructural feature; tensile properties

References

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