Abstract
It is reported that the ductility and strength of a metal matrix composite could be concurrently improved if the reinforcing particles were of the size of nanometers and distributed uniformly. In this paper, we revealed that gas atomization solidification could effectively disperse TiB2 nanoparticles in the Al alloy matrix due to its fast cooling rate and the coherent orientation relationship between TiB2 particles and α-Al. Besides, nano-TiB2 led to refined equiaxed grain structures. Furthermore, the composite powders with uniformly embedded nano-TiB2 showed improved laser absorptivity. The novel composite powders are well suited for selective laser melting.
Highlights
In the last decade, powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, such as selective laser melting (SLM), and their applications have evolved significantly
We show that a uniform distribution of a high fraction of TiB2 nanoparticles in Al-based metal matrix powders was achieved by gas atomization solidification processing through the combined effects of coherency among the metal-diboride interface, supercooling and a nanoscale particle size
Since one of the major challenges in the laser-based additive manufacturing (AM) field is the severe limitation of powder materials with acceptable laser processability [11,12,13], the introduction of pre-embedded nanometer-sized TiB2 into the metal matrix (e.g., Al-Cu-Mg in this study) would help to expand the powder materials’ palette for AM due to the higher laser absorptivity of TiB2 compared to the Al matrix [14]
Summary
Powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, such as selective laser melting (SLM), and their applications have evolved significantly. We show that a uniform distribution of a high fraction of TiB2 nanoparticles in Al-based metal matrix powders was achieved by gas atomization solidification processing through the combined effects of coherency among the metal-diboride interface, supercooling and a nanoscale particle size. Since one of the major challenges in the laser-based additive manufacturing (AM) field (e.g., selective laser melting) is the severe limitation of powder materials with acceptable laser processability [11,12,13], the introduction of pre-embedded nanometer-sized TiB2 into the metal matrix (e.g., Al-Cu-Mg in this study) would help to expand the powder materials’ palette for AM due to the higher laser absorptivity of TiB2 compared to the Al matrix [14]. Since the nanometer-sized TiB2 particles are embedded into spherical, micrometer-sized composite powders obtained by gas atomization, the powder flowability is not jeopardized
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
