Effect of Laser Power on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 2319-Al Fabricated by Wire-Based Additive Manufacturing

2319 Al alloy sample was fabricated by using low-power pulsed laser-induced MIG arc additive manufacturing. To investigate the effect of laser power on the deposited specimens, the microstructure evaluation and mechanical properties of deposited specimens were studied. With the laser power increased, the stirring effect of the laser on the molten pool was enhanced. As a result, the forming quality of the deposited samples was improved, grains were refined, and the crystal grains were fine equiaxed crystals. The micro-hardness of the sample with 300 W laser was 88.8 HV0.2, with an increase of 11.2% compared to that without laser. The tensile strength in the vertical and horizontal direction was 268 +/- 5 and 279 +/- 4 MPa, which were 19 and 20.1% higher than that without laser. The improved mechanical properties were due to grain refinement and microstructure improvement.

Automated summary

The use of low-power pulsed laser-induced MIG arc additive manufacturing to fabricate 2319 Al alloy samples results in improved forming quality and enhanced mechanical properties with increased laser power. The improved mechanical properties are attributed to grain refinement and microstructure improvement.