Effects of Scanning Strategy on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Sc-Zr-Modified Al–Mg Alloy Manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF)-manufactured Sc-Zr-modified Al–Mg alloy (Scalmalloy) has a bimodal microstructure comprising coarse grains (CGs) in the hot melt pool area and ultrafine (UFGs) along boundaries (MPBs). Owing to these microstructural features, an increase MPBs can UFGs, leading enhanced mechanical properties. However, effects of LPBF process parameters, especially laser scan strategy, on properties Scalmalloy are still unclear. Here, comparative study was conducted between X- XY-mode strategies, with same volumetric energy, based configuration, grain size distribution, precipitation behaviors. The X-scan exhibited superior those by XY-scan, attributed higher volume fraction (VF) UFGs. An VF UFGs observed, from 46% for XY-scan 56% X-scan, owing MPBs. Consequently, tensile strength than that XY-scan. maximum yield (271.5 ± 2.7 MPa) obtained which approximately twice casting. results this demonstrate be successfully tuned scanning strategy.