Laser powder bed fusion of Zr-modified Al-Cu-Mg alloy:Processability and elevated-temperature mechanical properties

Zr modification is an effective method for improving hot-cracking resistance and elevated-temperature mechanical properties during laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)of traditional medium and high strength wrought aluminum alloys.This study investigated the l-PBF processability and elevated-temperature mechanical properties of a Zr-modified 2024Al alloy.It was found that the hot-cracking susceptibility increased with the increased scanning speed,which was in reasonable agreement with the modified Rappaz-Drezet-Gremaud criterion.Furthermore,the primary L1_(2)-Al_(3)Zr precipitates,which acted as ef-ficient nucleation sites,precipitated at the fusion boundary of the melt pool,leading to the formation of a heterogeneous grain structure.The yield strength(YS)of the as-fabricated samples at 150,250,and 350℃was 363,210,and 48 MPa,respectively.Despite the slight decrease to 360 MPa of the YS when tested at 150℃,owing to the additional precipitate strengthening from the L1_(2)-Al_(3)Zr precipitates,the YS achieved yield strengths of 253 and 69 MPa,an increase of 20.5%and 30.4%,when tested at 250 and 350℃,respectively.The yield strengths in both the as-fabricated and T6-treated conditions tested at 150 and 250℃were comparable to those of casting Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys and superior to those of traditionally heat-resistant 2219-T6 and 2618-T6 of Al-Cu alloys.

Laser-based directed energy deposition of novel Sc/Zr-modified Al-Mg alloys:columnar-to-equiaxed transition and aging hardening behavior

The control of grain morphology is important in laser additive manufacturing(LAM),as grain morphology further affects the hot cracking resistance,anisotropy,and strength–ductility synergy of materials.To develop a solidification-control solution and achieve columnar-to-equiaxed transition(CET)in Al-based alloys during LAM,Sc-and-Zr-modified Al-Mg alloys were processed via directed energy deposition(DED).CET was achieved by introducing high potent primary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)nucleation sites ahead of the solidification interface.Furthermore,the relationship between the solidification control parameters and precipitation behavior of primary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)nucleation sites was established using the time-dependent nucleation theory.Then,the CET was studied according to the Hunt criterion.The results indicated that coarse columnar grain structure was still obtained at the inner region of the molten pool at low Sc/Zr contents owing to the effective suppression of the precipitation of the primary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)nucleation sites via rapid solidification during DED.In addition,the relatively low melt temperature at the fusion boundary unavoidably promoted the precipitation of primary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)nucleation sites,which resulted in a fine equiaxed grains band at the edge of the molten pool.As the Sc/Zr content increased,the solidification cooling rate was not sufficient to suppress the precipitation of the primary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)nucleation sites,and a fully equiaxed grain structure was obtained.Furthermore,the effect of the layer-by-layer manufacturing process on the subsequent precipitation strengthening of secondary Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)precipitates was discussed.Both the remelting and subsequent aging during thermal cycling should be considered to achieve greater precipitation strengthening.

Microstructure and compressive/tensile characteristic of large size Zr-based bulk metallic glass prepared by laser solid forming

The large size, crack-free Zr_(55)Cu_(30)Al_(10)Ni_(5) bulk metallic glass(BMGs) with the diameter of 54 mm and the height of 15 mm was built by laser solid forming additive manufacturing technology, whose size is larger than the critical diameter by casting. The microstructure, tensile and compressive deformation behaviors and fracture morphology of laser solid formed Zr_(55)Cu_(30)Al_(10)Ni_5 BMGs were investigated. It is found that the crystallization mainly occurs in the heat-affected zones of deposition layers, which consist of Al_5Ni_3Zr_2, NiZr_2, ZrCu, CuZr_2 phases. The content of amorphous phase in the deposit is about 63%.Under the compressive loading, the deposit presents no plasticity before fracture occurs. The fracture process is mainly controlled by the shear stress and the compressive shear fracture angles of about39?. The compressive strength reaches 1452 MPa, which is equivalent to that of as-Cast Zr_(55)Cu_(30)Al_(10)Ni_5 BMGs, and there exist vein-like patterns, river-like patterns and smooth regions at the compressive fractography. Under the tensile loading, the deposit presents the brittle fracture pattern without plastic deformation. The fracture process exhibits normal fracture model, and the tensile shear fracture angle of about 90?. The tensile strength is only about 609 MPa, and the tensile fractography mainly consists of micro-scaled cores and vein-like patterns, dimple-like patterns, chocolate-like patterns and smooth regions. The results further verified the feasibility and large potential of laser additive manufacturing on fabrication and industrial application of large-scale BMGs parts.

Effect of Cu content on microstructure and mechanical properties of in-situ β phases reinforced Ti/Zr-based bulk metallic glass matrix composite by selective laser melting(SLM)

In this study,non-toxic in-situβphases of reinforced Ti/Zr-based bulk metallic glass matrix composites(BMGCs)of(Ti_(0.65)Zr_(0.35))100-xCux(x=5,10,15 at.%)are fabricated via selective laser melting.The effect of Cu content on phase formation,microstructure,and mechanical properties is investigated.The average volume fraction and width of theβphase decreases with increasing Cu content,while a more amorphous phase and the(Ti,Zr)_(2)Cu phase forms.In the center zone of the molten pool,theβphase grows in the direction of the temperature gradient,and the amorphous phase distributes among theβphases.This occurs using:sphere morphology(for x=5),a more continuous elongated sphere and network morphology(for x=10),and network morphology(for x=15),respectively.In the edge zone of the molten pool,due to the smaller cooling rate and the existence of a partially molten zone,theβphase becomes coarser,and an amorphous phase forms for more continuous networks.Furthermore,the hardness improves significantly with increasing Cu content.No crack is found for x=5.Although the average volume fraction of theβphase for x=5 is about 90%,the compression yield strength is 1386±64 MPa,reaching to an average level of conventionally fabricated counterparts,due to finer microstructure,and twinning and martensitic transformation of theβphase.