Effect of heat treatments on the mechanical and microstructural behavior of a hypoeutectic Al alloy obtained by laser powder bed fusion

Large gains in strength and ductility are of little significance if the material’s anisotropy is high. Therefore, improving mechanical properties reducing Al alloys obtained by additive manufacturing a topic growing interest. This manuscript examines effect distinct heat treatments on mechanical, anisotropic, microstructural behavior hypoeutectic, almost eutectic, AlSi11Cu alloy laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The characterization revealed an matrix surrounded Si-rich network, forming coral-like pattern with heterogeneous combination columnar equiaxed grains. texture indicated that grains were preferentially oriented towards building direction strong Cube Goss components. Different strength-ductility ratios following annealing solution at different temperatures (200 °C–550 °C) holding time 1 h. In terms grain size dislocation density, no significant changes found microstructure, suggesting strengthening mechanisms not highly affected treatments. addition, Si-enriched network remained interconnected until 300 °C. At higher temperatures, this interconnection was lost, giving rise to large Si particles depleting content solid matrix. Digital image correlation maps deformation fields more homogeneous when cellular structure disappeared. visco-plastic self-consistent model showed applying load 30° (BD), largest tensile generated, whereas lowest parallel BD. Heat for h be efficient Lankford coefficients dispersion, improvements formability alloy’s planar anisotropy. These results up 400 °C or followed water quenching leads good while