Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition

Over the past few years, several studies have been conducted on the development of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys for PBF-LB/M processing. The attention gained by these systems can be attributed to their light weight and strength provided by a solid solution in the as-built state and by precipitation after heat...

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Main Authors: Alessandra Martucci, Emilio Bassini, Mariangela Lombardi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Metals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/7/1315
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author Alessandra Martucci
Emilio Bassini
Mariangela Lombardi
author_facet Alessandra Martucci
Emilio Bassini
Mariangela Lombardi
author_sort Alessandra Martucci
collection DOAJ
description Over the past few years, several studies have been conducted on the development of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys for PBF-LB/M processing. The attention gained by these systems can be attributed to their light weight and strength provided by a solid solution in the as-built state and by precipitation after heat treatment. However, published studies have kept the copper content below its solubility limit in the Al-Cu binary system under equilibrium conditions (5.65 wt%). The present study aims to explore Al-Si-Cu-Mg systems with high copper content, starting with the well-known AlSi10Cu4Mg system, moving towards AlSi10Cu8Mg, and arriving at AlCu20Si10Mg, a system never before processed with PBF-LB/M. Through the SST approach, the production of bulk samples, advanced microstructural characterization by SEM and FESEM analysis, phase identification by XRD analysis, and preliminary investigation of the mechanical properties through Vickers micro indentations, the effects of copper quantities on the processability, microstructural properties, and mechanical behavior of these compositions were investigated. The obtained results demonstrated the benefits of the supersaturated solid solution and the fine precipitation resulting from the addition of high Cu contents. In particular, the AlCu20Si10Mg system showed a very distinctive microstructure and unprecedented microhardness values.
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spelling doaj.art-0647ebbee9de4f1f9d6f163bc8a2a9cd2023-11-18T20:31:00ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012023-07-01137131510.3390/met13071315Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg CompositionAlessandra Martucci0Emilio Bassini1Mariangela Lombardi2Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, ItalyOver the past few years, several studies have been conducted on the development of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys for PBF-LB/M processing. The attention gained by these systems can be attributed to their light weight and strength provided by a solid solution in the as-built state and by precipitation after heat treatment. However, published studies have kept the copper content below its solubility limit in the Al-Cu binary system under equilibrium conditions (5.65 wt%). The present study aims to explore Al-Si-Cu-Mg systems with high copper content, starting with the well-known AlSi10Cu4Mg system, moving towards AlSi10Cu8Mg, and arriving at AlCu20Si10Mg, a system never before processed with PBF-LB/M. Through the SST approach, the production of bulk samples, advanced microstructural characterization by SEM and FESEM analysis, phase identification by XRD analysis, and preliminary investigation of the mechanical properties through Vickers micro indentations, the effects of copper quantities on the processability, microstructural properties, and mechanical behavior of these compositions were investigated. The obtained results demonstrated the benefits of the supersaturated solid solution and the fine precipitation resulting from the addition of high Cu contents. In particular, the AlCu20Si10Mg system showed a very distinctive microstructure and unprecedented microhardness values.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/7/1315Powder Bed Fusion ProcessingPBF-LB/MAl-based alloysAl-Si-Cu-MgCu solubility limitAl<sub>2</sub>Cu phase
spellingShingle Alessandra Martucci
Emilio Bassini
Mariangela Lombardi
Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition
Metals
Powder Bed Fusion Processing
PBF-LB/M
Al-based alloys
Al-Si-Cu-Mg
Cu solubility limit
Al<sub>2</sub>Cu phase
title Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition
title_full Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition
title_fullStr Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition
title_short Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition
title_sort effect of cu content on the pbf lb m processing of the promising al si cu mg composition
topic Powder Bed Fusion Processing
PBF-LB/M
Al-based alloys
Al-Si-Cu-Mg
Cu solubility limit
Al<sub>2</sub>Cu phase
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/7/1315
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