The microstructure and mechanical properties of selectively laser melted AlSi10Mg: The effect of a conventional T6-like heat treatment

Aboulkhair, Nesma T., Maskery, Ian, Tuck, Christopher, Ashcroft, Ian and Everitt, Nicola M. (2016) The microstructure and mechanical properties of selectively laser melted AlSi10Mg: The effect of a conventional T6-like heat treatment. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 667 . pp. 139-146. ISSN 0921-5093

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Abstract

Selective laser melting (SLM) of aluminium is of research interest because of its potential benefits to high value manufacturing applications in the aerospace and automotive industries. In order to demonstrate the credibility of SLM Al parts, their mechanical properties need to be studied. In this paper, the nano-, micro-, and macro-scale mechanical properties of SLM AlSi10Mg were examined. In addition, the effect of a conventional T6-like heat treatment was investigated and correlated to the generated microstructure. Nanoindentation showed uniform hardness within the SLM material. Significant spatial variation was observed after heat treatment due to phase transformation. It was found that the SLM material's micro-hardness exceeded its die-cast counterpart. Heat treatment softened the material, reducing micro-hardness from 125±1 HV to 100±1 HV. An ultimate tensile strength (333 MPa), surpassing that of the die cast counterpart was achieved, which was slightly reduced by heat treatment (12%) alongside a significant gain in strain-to-failure (~threefold). Significantly high compressive yield strength was recorded for the as-built material with the ability to withstand high compressive strains. The SLM characteristic microstructure yielded enhanced strength under loading, outperforming cast material. The use of a T6-like heat treatment procedure also modified the properties of the material to yield a potentially attractive compromise between the material's strength and ductility making it more suitable for a wider range of applications and opening up further opportunities for the additive manufacturing process and alloy combination.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/795172
Keywords: Additive manufacture; aluminium alloys; nanoindentation; tensile behaviour; compressive behaviour; heat treatment
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Engineering
Identification Number: 10.1016/j.msea.2016.04.092
Depositing User: Eprints, Support
Date Deposited: 20 May 2016 17:01
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 17:56
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/33431

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