Influence of alloying elements on laser powder bed fusion processability of aluminum: A new insight into the oxidation tendency

This study focuses on the influence of alloying elements (Si and Mg) process parameters laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processability aluminum (Al). In this regard, pure Al, AlSi12, AlSi10Mg parts with without single tracks their top surface were fabricated using a wide range parameters. The oxidation tendency, absorptivity, attributes evaluated to justify densification level processing window parts. starting powders subjected Auger electron spectroscopy characterize nature oxide compounds participating in melt pool. measurement oxygen content Al (2260 ppm), AlSi12 (1299 (740 ppm) powders, as well printed (90, 220, 130 ppm, respectively at power 300 W), proved that removal overweighs any possible in-situ molten Al/Al alloys. A mechanism was proposed explain release oxygen, confirmed by microstructural observations elemental map analysis. indicates neither absorptivity (58.4%) (56.1%) alloys nor high affinity adversely affects processability.