Effects of additive manufacturing on the dynamic response of AlSi10Mg to laser shock loading

In this study, the dynamic behaviour of light aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg obtained by additive manufacturing was investigated under laser shock loading. Two types of AlSi10Mg specimens were obtained by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) with two sets of building parameters, leading to specific architecture and microstructure compared to classical manufacturing processes. Their dynamic response to laser driven shocks was investigated on the basis of time-resolved measurements of free surface velocity, transverse visualization of shock-induced fragmentation, and post-recovery observations by means of microscopy. The results reveal a significant influence of the building parameters and SLM-inherited defects on both yield strength and spall strength values, as well as a strong dependence of high rate fracture behaviour on building direction of the material, mainly governed by melt pools shape and dissymmetry, with a combination of interpool and intrapool fracture modes.