Multiscale modelling of microstructure evolution, and local solidification behaviours of the AlSi10Mg build component in laser powder bed fusion process

Abstract

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process is an additive manufacturing process, in which rapid heating and cooling takes place. The microstructure and the solidification behaviour of L-PBF components have significant impacts on their mechanical properties. The solidification takes place in a very short duration which is difficult to capture experimentally, therefore the finite-element (FE) simulation is the best feasible solution. In this paper, to study the evolution of the AlSi10Mg alloy’s microstructure during the L-PBF process, a model composed of macroscopic finite element (FE) model and microscopic phase field (PF) model was built. This model is suitable to predict a more realistic thermal behaviour involving the possible physical phenomena and the thermal behaviour for various heat inputs was calculated. The PF model was then updated with these results in order to simulate the chemical compositions’ concentration field and solidified microstructure. According to the simulation’s results, the primary dendrite arm spacing (PDAS) is significantly influenced by the laser line energy. To validate the FE model along with the Phase field (PF) model, the results were compared with the analytical and experimental findings; and the FE model and PF results exhibited good agreement with the experimental results. Additionally, the solute distribution analysis demonstrated that during the solidification process, micro-segregation developed and the process parameters affected the micro-segregation. Finally, the specimens were subjected to metallographic and element distribution analyses using an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) to compare the results with those from the PF simulation and establish the relationship between the process parameters.