"Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AlSiMg Alloys Processed by Selective Laser Melting (SLM)" 

Anyu Shang, MSE PhD Candidate 

Advisor: Professor Xinghang Zhang  

WebEx Link

Abstract:

Selective laser sintering (SLM) is an emerging additive manufacturing technique, in which laser is utilized to melt and consolidate micron-size metal powders into monolithic parts by layer-wise construction from digital files. SLM stands out for its exceptional geometrical freedom, higher yield, and great prototyping efficiency. Among many popular material systems, aluminum alloy is favored due to its superb specific strength, corrosion resistance and heat conduction. Currently, though most high-strength commercial aluminum alloys are not suitable for SLM due to cracking susceptibility, AlSiMg alloys exhibit excellent printability with intermediate mechanical strength. The high quenching rate in laser melt pools results in the unique cellular microstructures with abundant precipitates. Systematic microstructure characterizations have been performed to elucidate tensile behaviors for as-printed and heat treated Al alloys.