Mechanical properties of the VZh159–CuCr1Zr alloy multi-material samples manufactured by selective laser melting

Abstract

Selective laser melting (SLM) proves to be a suitable method for fabricating multi-material products, offering heightened performance. The objective of this study is to examine the mechanical properties of the VZh159–CuCr1Zr multi-material system produced through selective laser melting. We conducted tensile and compressive strength tests on these samples, followed by fractography, examination of polished sections, and a comparison of measured mechanical properties with existing data. Our findings are summarized as follows: the phase compositions in the regions of pure alloy denote solid solutions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the interface zone reveal peaks corresponding to both alloys. The tensile strength of VZh159–CuCr1Zr multi-material samples, as measured in tensile tests, is σu = 430 ± 20 MPa, with a relative elongation of ε = 4.6 ± 0.3 %. Results from compressive strength tests show values of σu = 822 ± 23 MPa, and relative compression ε = 42.5 ± 1.5 %. Comparing these values with those of the pure CuCr1Zr alloy, the ultimate tensile strength is approximately 53 % higher (according to available data), while the conditional yield strength is about 80 % higher. Fractography of the VZh159–CuCr1Zr multi-material sample after tensile tests indicates that the interface zone exhibits both more ductile fracture features characteristic of the CuCr1Zr alloy (pits and a lack of a smooth surface) and less ductile features charac­teristic of the VZh159 alloy (microcracks). Examination of the polished section of a VZh159–CuCr1Zr multi-material sample after compressive strength tests reveals that the presence of a more ductile CuCr1Zr alloy in the interface zone contributes to arresting the crack, which propagates at a 45° angle to the direction of load application in the VZh159 alloy region.