Multimodal and multiscale investigation for the optimization of AlSi10Mg components made by powder bed fusion-laser beam

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate metallic components with tailored microstructures and improved mechanical properties. One of the most promising techniques for the aerospace industry is powder bed fusion-laser beam (PBF-LB). This technique enables the creation of complex shapes and structures with high accuracy and repeatability, which is especially important for the aerospace industry where components require high precision and reliability. However, the impact of the PBF-LB process on microstructural features, such as the grain size distribution and porosity, remains an important area of research since it influences mechanical properties and performance of materials. In this study, a multimodal and multiscale correlative microscopy approach is used to investigate the microstructure of AlSi10Mg components made by PBF-LB. The study found that the correlative microscopy approach involving X-ray images with visual, chemical, and diffraction information coming from optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is highly effective in reaching a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the fabrication process and the effective microstructure of PBF-LB fabricated components enabling the optimization of their performance for a wide range of applications.