Abstract
New aluminium alloys, with lower silicon content than in the first-developed formulations, have recently been introduced in the field of Additive Manufacturing and are dedicated to automotive applications. As they are relatively new, mechanical characterization under standard protocols of the automotive field are of utmost scientific as well as industrial relevance. The paper addresses the mechanical properties and microstructure of A357.0. Static tensile and shear tests of samples built by Laser Powder Bed Fusion, with different orientations in the machine work volume, have been performed. The aim was to identify possible anisotropy in the tensile and shear behaviour of this innovative alloy. Particularly for shear, the effect of adhesion between the layers onto shear strength was studied. Results analysis, by means of statistical tools, allows for the affirmation that no tensile modulus or yield strength anisotropy is observed. Instead, a small (yet statistically significant) increase in both shear- and tensile strength and a decrease in ductility are obtained as the direction of the specimens approaches the growth direction. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation of the failure mechanisms assisted in the interpretation of the results, by relating different failure modes to the relative orientation of loads versus the directions of inherent anisotropy in Laser Powder Bed Fusion processes.
Highlights
Over the few years, the Additive Manufacturing (AM) industry is expected to continue to grow strongly
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation of the failure mechanisms assisted in the interpretation of the results, by relating different failure modes to the relative orientation of loads versus the directions of inherent anisotropy in Laser Powder Bed
The paper reports the characterization of A357.0 specimens produced by means of LaserPowder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and contributes to the knowledge base of this very recent alloy
Summary
Over the few years, the Additive Manufacturing (AM) industry is expected to continue to grow strongly. One of the major suppliers of metal powders for AM, forecasted that by 2021 the sale of AM products and services will be around 26.5 billion USD (United States dollars). In order to accelerate the adoption of AM, improvements in areas such as new material formulations and more solid knowledge of the expected mechanical behaviour will need to take place [1]. Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), are still very few. Since Al is comparatively cheaper to purchase, the material saving that is allowed by AM becomes less impressive. The production of Al parts by LPBF has less immediate commercial appeal [2]
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