rus
Issue #3/2014
А.Merkushev, M.Ilyinykh, A.Fefelov
Study of Aluminum Alloy Samples Made by the Selective Laser Sintering Method
Study of Aluminum Alloy Samples Made by the Selective Laser Sintering Method
New laser additive technologies expand the opportunities of machine builders. They contribute to weight reduction, unlimited freedom in designing, manufacturing of complex aerodynamic surfaces, new constructions which cannot be obtained on the basis of other forming methods.
Currently, the most innovative and rapidly increasing sector of modern industry is the sector of additive technologies (AT). Interest in this area is so great that the annual rate of AT market increase is more than 25% and its total volume was more than 3 billion US dollars in 2013, and according to the data of analysts it will grow up to 12 billion US dollars by 2020 [1]. One of intensely-developing technologies of additive production is the technology of layer-by-layer selective laser melting (SLM) of metal powders. SLM technology has many obvious advantages; the main advantages are: shortening of the process of parts production to 2-3 days, material economy up to 80% and production of the parts of complex constructions which cannot be obtained using the traditional forming technologies [2, 3]. During the process of engineering modernization, which is taking place before our eyes, ATs acquire the status of strategically important and priority technological conversions.
The group of authors had the task to study the ability of replacement of the existing technology of production of a number of parts applied in instrument engineering by the technology of laser melting (SLM) of metal powders. Four samples were made of the powder material AlSi10Mg using SLM method on the unit EOSINT M280. Direction of their growing was maintained perpendicularly to the plane of layers melting. Then, they were studied according to the methods of GOST 1497, type III No. 7. As result of many tests, mechanical properties of the samples, Brinell hardness were determined, analysis of microstructure was carried out, electron-microscopic and micro-X-ray spectral analysis of the samples was carried out. For this purpose the following instruments were used:
In order to determine mechanical properties of the samples at the temperature of 23.5 °С – equipment INSTRON 5585HJ9421;
In order to estimate Brinell hardness – unit КВ250RV Ø2.5;
For the analysis of samples microstructure – optical microscope with the magnifications 50, 500 and 1000;
For electron-microscopic and micro-X-ray spectral analysis of the samples – scanning electron microscope JSM-5900LV with the attachment of electron probe microanalyzer.
As result of the tests, it was established that mechanical properties of the samples obtained on the basis of SLM method are characterized by high stability of the results and have the following values:
ultimate breaking strength σU = 323 MPa;
percentage elongation δ = 5.5%;
hardness 110 HBW.
Microstructure along the whole sample section is homogeneous and represents eutectic structure. Photos of the samples structure (Fig. 1 and 2) indicate fine dispersion of the phase components forming the eutectic. Ferric phases are characterized by very high dispersion and homogeneous distribution along the section of the test sample (Fig. 3). Their size is about 0.5 µm. Composition of different alloy microvolumes is determined using the methods of electron microscopy and micro-X-ray spectral analysis. Micro-inhomogeneity related to the distribution of silicon in alloy microstructure is detected.
As result of carried out study, we can say with certainty that obtained results indicate strong mechanical properties of the samples produced on the basis of SLM method. It allows using the parts of powder material AlSi10Mg in the critical parts of modern machines and equipment.
The group of authors had the task to study the ability of replacement of the existing technology of production of a number of parts applied in instrument engineering by the technology of laser melting (SLM) of metal powders. Four samples were made of the powder material AlSi10Mg using SLM method on the unit EOSINT M280. Direction of their growing was maintained perpendicularly to the plane of layers melting. Then, they were studied according to the methods of GOST 1497, type III No. 7. As result of many tests, mechanical properties of the samples, Brinell hardness were determined, analysis of microstructure was carried out, electron-microscopic and micro-X-ray spectral analysis of the samples was carried out. For this purpose the following instruments were used:
In order to determine mechanical properties of the samples at the temperature of 23.5 °С – equipment INSTRON 5585HJ9421;
In order to estimate Brinell hardness – unit КВ250RV Ø2.5;
For the analysis of samples microstructure – optical microscope with the magnifications 50, 500 and 1000;
For electron-microscopic and micro-X-ray spectral analysis of the samples – scanning electron microscope JSM-5900LV with the attachment of electron probe microanalyzer.
As result of the tests, it was established that mechanical properties of the samples obtained on the basis of SLM method are characterized by high stability of the results and have the following values:
ultimate breaking strength σU = 323 MPa;
percentage elongation δ = 5.5%;
hardness 110 HBW.
Microstructure along the whole sample section is homogeneous and represents eutectic structure. Photos of the samples structure (Fig. 1 and 2) indicate fine dispersion of the phase components forming the eutectic. Ferric phases are characterized by very high dispersion and homogeneous distribution along the section of the test sample (Fig. 3). Their size is about 0.5 µm. Composition of different alloy microvolumes is determined using the methods of electron microscopy and micro-X-ray spectral analysis. Micro-inhomogeneity related to the distribution of silicon in alloy microstructure is detected.
As result of carried out study, we can say with certainty that obtained results indicate strong mechanical properties of the samples produced on the basis of SLM method. It allows using the parts of powder material AlSi10Mg in the critical parts of modern machines and equipment.
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