Selective Laser Melting of Al-7Si-0.5 Mg-0.5Cu: Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure Evolution, Mechanical Properties and Wear Resistance

Al-7Si-0.5 Mg-0.5Cu alloy specimens have been fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM). In this study, the effects of solution treatment, quenching, and artificial aging on the microstructural evolution, as well as mechanical and wear properties, have been investigated. The as-prepared samples show a heterogeneous cellular microstructure with two different cell sizes composed of alpha-Al and Si phases. After solution-treated and quenched (SQ) heat treatment, the cellular microstructure disappears, and coarse and lumpy Si phase precipitates and a rectangular Cu-rich phase were observed. Subsequent aging after solution-treated and quenched (SQA) heat treatment causes the formation of nanosized Cu-rich precipitates. The as-prepared SLMs sample has good mechanical properties and wear resistance (compressive yield strength: 215 +/- 6 MPa and wear rate 2 x 10(-13) m(3)/m). The SQ samples with lumpy Si particles have the lowest strength of 167 +/- 13 MPa and the highest wear rate of 6.18 x 10(-13) m(3)/m. The formation of nanosized Cu-rich precipitates in the SQA samples leads to the highest compressive yield strength of 233 +/- 6 MPa and a good wear rate of 5.06 x 10(-13) m(3)/m.

Automated summary

The alloy samples show different microstructural evolution and mechanical properties after solution treatment and quenching, with the presence of coarse Si particles resulting in lower strength and higher wear rate in SQ samples. Meanwhile, the formation of nanosized Cu-rich precipitates in SQA samples leads to the highest compressive yield strength and good wear resistance.