SLM-processed Sc- and Zr- modified Al-Mg alloy: Mechanical properties and microstructural effects of heat treatment

Spierings, AB, Dawson, K ORCID: 0000-0003-3249-8328, Kern, K, Palm, F and Wegener, K (2017) SLM-processed Sc- and Zr- modified Al-Mg alloy: Mechanical properties and microstructural effects of heat treatment. MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING, 701. pp. 264-273.

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Abstract

Traditionally 4xxx casting alloys are used for the additive manufacturing of structurally optimised lightweight parts in space, aerospace and automotive. However, for such applications there is a need for hardenable high-strength Al-alloys exceeding the properties of the 4xxx alloys family. The study analyses the hardness response of different heat treatment temperatures and hold durations applied to a Sc- and Zr-modified Al-Mg (5xxx-) alloy (Scalmalloy®) processed by Selective Laser Melting, and compares the mechanical properties and microstructure in the as-processed and annealed condition, and these properties are clearly related to the very fine grained microstructure. The results show that the static mechanical properties are exceptionally good with Rm-values exceeding 500 MPa along with almost no build-orientation related anisotropic effects, and a high ductility even in the heat treated condition. These properties are clearly related to the very fine grained material, along with the good hardenability of the alloy. The stress-strain curves show the typical Portevin-Le-Chatelier (PLC) effect as known for other 5xxx alloys. Due to significant grain boundary pinning by different particles the very fine-grained bi-modal microstructure originating from the SLM-process can be maintained even in the heat treated condition, and only a HIP treatment leads to local grain growth only in coarser grained regions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Powder methods, Selective laser melting, Aluminium alloys, Characterization, Stress-strain measurements, Hardness
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	28 Jul 2017 15:12
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 06:58
DOI:	10.1016/j.msea.2017.06.089
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3008679