Investigation of Microstructure and Dispersoids/Precipitates in Additively Manufactured Aluminum Alloys
Additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic alloys is becoming an increasingly important area of interest for academia and industry due to its method of fabricating components with highly complex or customized geometries. The complicated thermo kinetic environment associated with AM is challenging for many traditional materials, particularly aluminum based alloys. Currently, many Al alloys manufactured by AM are Al Si alloys near the eutectic composition, while high strength 7xxx series alloys tends to exhibit excessive solidification cracking [1] However, opportunities are emerging in the design of novel Al alloys that are suitable for AM and take advantage of the AM process.
Microscopy and Microanalysis