Selective laser melting of AlSi10 Mg: Influence of process parameters on Mg2 Si precipitation and Si spheroidization

In Selective Laser Melting (SLM) both structural and functional properties of built parts are drastically affected by the process parameters, such as laser beam power, exposure time and building platform temperature. The effect of the mentioned parameters on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of AlSi10 Mg SLM builts were investigated. It was found that chemical composition, melting point and phases morphology were not varied. On the contrary, thermal analysis indicated that Mg2Si precipitation as well as Si spheroidization phenomena were slightly affected by laser energy density. This effect becomes relevant for choosing the right thermal treatments required for mechanical property optimization of SLM built Al alloy components.