Selective laser melting of magnesium AZ31B alloy powder
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 25 September 2019
Issue publication date: 25 February 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the results of material tests conducted on specimens manufactured from AZ31 alloy powder by selective laser melting (SLM) technology. The manufactured specimens were then subjected to porosity assessment, microstructure analysis as well as to mechanical and corrosion tests.
Design/methodology/approach
SLM process was optimized using the design of experiments tools. Experiments aimed at selecting optimum process parameters were carried out in accordance with a five-level rotatable central composite design.
Findings
The porosity results showed very low values of <1 per cent, whereas mechanical properties were close to the values reported for the reference wrought AZ31 alloy in hot-rolled state. A fine-grained microstructure was observed with a large range of grain size, which enhanced the material’s mechanical properties. Corrosion characteristics of the SLM-manufactured material exceed those determined for the wrought material.
Originality/value
The results presented in this paper drive interest in magnesium alloys used in additive manufacturing processes. Low porosity, good mechanical properties, form of the microstructure and, most importantly, improved corrosion characteristics suggest that SLM provides great potential for the manufacture of ultralight structures, including resorbable metallic implants.
Keywords
Citation
Pawlak, A., Szymczyk, P.E., Kurzynowski, T. and Chlebus, E. (2020), "Selective laser melting of magnesium AZ31B alloy powder", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 249-258. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-05-2019-0137
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited