In situ X-ray imaging of electrochemical dissolution behavior at low current density of as-built additively manufactured AlSi10Mg alloy

Abstract

Despite extensive research on electrochemical machining (ECM) for improving the surface quality of additively manufactured (AMed) metals, common problems of stray corrosion and uneven dissolution remain. Here, in-situ synchrotron X-ray imaging was firstly used for observing the dissolution behavior of as-built AlSi10Mg alloy at low current density. The bubble evolution, surface roughness and dissolved depth was investigated. The results demonstrated that surfaces with higher roughness exhibited a greater dissolution rate and consumed a larger proportion of electrons compared to smooth surfaces. The study also identified three distinct stages of surface roughness change at low current density, providing valuable insights for the development of ECM techniques for AMed parts.