On the surface integrity of additive manufactured and post-processed AlSi10Mg parts
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
The research centres on the evaluation of surface integrity of AlSi10Mg parts produced via laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, followed by vibratory surface finishing. The alloy is chosen for its applications in lightweight components used in electronic packaging, automotive and aerospace sectors. Initial experiments involve optimisation of key LPBF process parameters by analysing the surface roughness and density data of the built parts. A Taguchi L18 orthogonal array is used for the optmisation trials with variations in the laser power (P), beam scanning speed (v), hatch spacing (H) and island size (I). Latter experimental phase deals with microhardness and microstructure assessment of heat treated LPBF specimens that are produced using the optimised LPBF parameters, i.e. P: 250 W, v: 1500 mm/s, H: 75 µm and I: 2 mm. Microhardnesses of the annealed samples reduce by ~12% with respect to the as-built parts and the values remain almost unchanged from the annealed state following solution treatment and ageing. The fish-scale like melt-pools observed on the unheat treated samples begin to fade off in the annealed specimens and completely disappear after solution treatment and ageing, with silicon particles dispersed all over the aluminium matrix. The final experimental phase involves vibratory surface finishing of the as-built LPBF parts using a vibrating ceramic media mixed with different acid and amine based liquid compounds for 1-6 hours, followed by vibrating in a maize based media for another 1-6 hours. The process aids in reducing the parts’ roughness, Sa by ~35-70%, however the effect is more prominent when using the ceramic media.
Date Issued
2020-05-31
Date Acceptance
2020-01-01
Citation
Procedia CIRP, 2020, 87, pp.339-344
ISSN
2212-8271
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
339
End Page
344
Journal / Book Title
Procedia CIRP
Volume
87
Copyright Statement
© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Sponsor
Innovate UK
Grant Number
113153
Source
5th CIRP CSI 2020
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2020-06-01
Date Publish Online
2020-05-31