Additive Manufacturing of Si-Added 7075 Aluminum Alloys: Microstructural, Mechanical, and Electrochemical Properties via Heat Treatment

Abstract

Al 7075 alloy (AA7075) exhibits excellent strength yet poses significant challenges for additive manufacturing (AM) due to its complex composition and propensity for defects during rapid solidification. To address these issues, this study introduces a novel AA7075 containing a small amount of Si fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM). Despite concerns about reduced melt-pool stability at low Si content, the alloy was successfully processed into defect-minimized samples. Systematic evaluations of as-built and heat-treated (direct aging, solid-solution, T6) samples revealed distinct microstructural evolution and clear improvements in mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Specifically, as-built and direct aging conditions showed high strength but limited ductility and pronounced galvanic corrosion due to inhomogeneous microstructures. Conversely, solid-solution and T6 treatments effectively homogenized the microstructure, significantly enhancing ductility and reducing corrosion susceptibility, with the T6-treated samples exhibiting the most balanced mechanical and electrochemical performance. By maintaining a favorable microstructural balance while minimizing Si-induced brittleness, the low-Si AA7075 demonstrates improved SLM processability and robust performance. These findings offer a new pathway for optimizing AM aluminum alloys through tailored heat treatments.