From crack-prone to crack-free: Eliminating cracks in additive manufacturing of high-strength Mg2Si-modified Al-Mg-Si alloys

Abstract

Large solidification ranges and coarse columnar grains in the additive manufacturing of Al-Mg-Si alloys are normally involved in hot cracks during solidification. In this work, we develop novel crack-free Al-Mg2Si alloys fabricated by laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF). The results indicate that the eutectic Mg2Si phase possesses a strong ability to reduce crack susceptibility. It can enhance the grain growth restriction factor in the initial stage of solidification and promote eutectic filling in the terminal stage of solidification. The crack-free L-PBFed Al-xMg2Si alloys (x = 6 wt.%, 9 wt.%, and 12 wt.%) exhibit the combination of low crack susceptibility index (CSI), superior ability for liquid filling, and grain refinement. Particularly, the L-PBFed Al-9Mg2Si alloy shows improved mechanical properties (e.g. yield strength of 397 MPa and elongation of 7.3%). However, the cracks are more likely to occur in the region near the columnar grain boundaries of the L-PBFed Al-3Mg2Si alloy with a large solidification range and low eutectic content for liquid filling. Correspondingly, the L-PBFed Al-3Mg2Si alloy shows poor bearing capacity of mechanical properties. The precise tuning of Mg2Si eutectic content can offer an innovative strategy for eliminating cracks in additively manufactured Al-Mg-Si alloy.