Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing of High-Strength Al–Zn–Mg Aluminum Alloy

High-strength 7xxx series aluminum alloys are of great importance for the aerospace industries. However, this type has poor processability most additive manufacturing techniques. In paper, a newly designed Al–Zn–Mg alloy was used as feeding wire to fabricate thin wall-shaped samples using and arc (WAAM) technique. These were fabricated based on cold metal transfer (CMT) process with four different types modes, that is, CMT, CMT-incorporated pulse (CMT + P), polarity A), PA). The optical microscopy, x-ray computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy equipped energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) backscatter diffraction (EBSD) employed characterize microstructure phase constitution. results clearly reveal porosity varies densest sample 0.97% obtained CMT P mode. mechanical properties also dependent modes. tensile strength yield manufactured by PA mode highest. terms anisotropy, differences in horizontal vertical direction made PA, A, modes all large, which is mainly ascribed pores distributed at interlayer region.