Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy

Additive manufacturing of aluminum (Al) alloys has attracted significant attention in the aerospace industry. However, achieving ultrahigh-strength (>500 MPa) Al alloys remains challenging due to their intrinsic poor printability. Here, we report a novel hybrid additive manufacturing (HAM) approa...

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Main Authors: Wenjie Liu, Shengnan Shen, Jinlong Meng, Jiafeng Xiao, Hui Li, Hejun Du, Qianxing Yin, Chaolin Tan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-7990/adbb95
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author Wenjie Liu
Shengnan Shen
Jinlong Meng
Jiafeng Xiao
Hui Li
Hejun Du
Qianxing Yin
Chaolin Tan
author_facet Wenjie Liu
Shengnan Shen
Jinlong Meng
Jiafeng Xiao
Hui Li
Hejun Du
Qianxing Yin
Chaolin Tan
author_sort Wenjie Liu
collection DOAJ
description Additive manufacturing of aluminum (Al) alloys has attracted significant attention in the aerospace industry. However, achieving ultrahigh-strength (>500 MPa) Al alloys remains challenging due to their intrinsic poor printability. Here, we report a novel hybrid additive manufacturing (HAM) approach to process ultrahigh-strength AlMgSc alloy, which combines laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) with interlayer ultrasonic shot peening (USP). The results show that the interlayer ultrasonic shot peening depth reached ∼700 µm, leading to almost full density and residual stress convection from tension to compression. The HAM method promotes equiaxed grain formation and refines grain due to grain recrystallizations. Interestingly, the HAM followed by aging treatment tailors the hierarchically multi-gradient structures, inhibits Mg element intragranular segregation, and promotes the multi-nanoprecipitates (e.g. Al _3 (Sc, Zr) and Al _6 Mn) precipitation. Remarkably, the HAM followed by aging treatment achieves yield strength of 609 MPa and breaks elongation of 7.5%, demonstrating ultrahigh strength and good ductility compared with other Al alloys manufactured by AM and forging as reported in the literature. The strength enhancement mechanisms in this AlMgSc alloy are discussed. The high-density Al _3 (Sc, Zr) precipitates are the main strengthening contributor, and unique hetero-deformation induced (HDI) strengthening (originates from the heterogeneous microstructures) further enhances the strength of the material. This work highlights a novel approach for processing complex-structured ultrahigh strength Al alloy components by hybrid additive manufacturing.
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spelling doaj-art-e8bc296dea3b490bab3cb356c0a7330c2025-08-20T03:04:21ZengIOP PublishingInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing2631-79902025-01-017404500810.1088/2631-7990/adbb95Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloyWenjie Liu0https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2078-9263Shengnan Shen1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3964-8475Jinlong Meng2Jiafeng Xiao3Hui Li4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4404-8845Hejun Du5Qianxing Yin6Chaolin Tan7https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2029-4600School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of China; Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) , 5 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 636732, Singapore; Henan Polytechnic University , Jiaozuo 454003, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of China; The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of China; The Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaNanyang Technological University , 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, SingaporeSchool of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of ChinaInstitute of Metallic Materials and Intelligent Manufacturing, Soochow University , Suzhou 215137, People’s Republic of China; Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) , 5 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 636732, SingaporeAdditive manufacturing of aluminum (Al) alloys has attracted significant attention in the aerospace industry. However, achieving ultrahigh-strength (>500 MPa) Al alloys remains challenging due to their intrinsic poor printability. Here, we report a novel hybrid additive manufacturing (HAM) approach to process ultrahigh-strength AlMgSc alloy, which combines laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) with interlayer ultrasonic shot peening (USP). The results show that the interlayer ultrasonic shot peening depth reached ∼700 µm, leading to almost full density and residual stress convection from tension to compression. The HAM method promotes equiaxed grain formation and refines grain due to grain recrystallizations. Interestingly, the HAM followed by aging treatment tailors the hierarchically multi-gradient structures, inhibits Mg element intragranular segregation, and promotes the multi-nanoprecipitates (e.g. Al _3 (Sc, Zr) and Al _6 Mn) precipitation. Remarkably, the HAM followed by aging treatment achieves yield strength of 609 MPa and breaks elongation of 7.5%, demonstrating ultrahigh strength and good ductility compared with other Al alloys manufactured by AM and forging as reported in the literature. The strength enhancement mechanisms in this AlMgSc alloy are discussed. The high-density Al _3 (Sc, Zr) precipitates are the main strengthening contributor, and unique hetero-deformation induced (HDI) strengthening (originates from the heterogeneous microstructures) further enhances the strength of the material. This work highlights a novel approach for processing complex-structured ultrahigh strength Al alloy components by hybrid additive manufacturing.https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-7990/adbb95additive manufacturingAlMgSc alloyhybrid additive manufacturinggradient structuresdislocation evolutionmechanical properties
spellingShingle Wenjie Liu
Shengnan Shen
Jinlong Meng
Jiafeng Xiao
Hui Li
Hejun Du
Qianxing Yin
Chaolin Tan
Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy
International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing
additive manufacturing
AlMgSc alloy
hybrid additive manufacturing
gradient structures
dislocation evolution
mechanical properties
title Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy
title_full Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy
title_fullStr Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy
title_short Mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy
title_sort mechanical field assisted additive manufacturing of ultrahigh strength aluminum alloy
topic additive manufacturing
AlMgSc alloy
hybrid additive manufacturing
gradient structures
dislocation evolution
mechanical properties
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-7990/adbb95
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