Strain rate dependence of mechanical behavior in an AlSi10Mg alloy with different states fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Abstract

The strain rate dependence of mechanical behavior in an AlSi10Mg alloy with different states fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) was investigated systematically via thermodynamic calculations, microstructure characterization and mechanical characteristic evaluation in the present study. The results show that there is a close relationship among the material state, microstructure and dynamic mechanical behavior. Before tensile deformation, the as-built specimen possesses a fine equiaxed grain structure and a typical cellular structure surrounded by continuously distributed particles; the annealed specimen has coarser equiaxed grain structures and particles, but no cellular structure is present. Both the as-built and annealed specimens exhibit weak strain rate sensitivity, and the strain rate sensitivity parameters are 0.01 and 0.024, respectively. Under specific strain rate conditions, the as-built specimen has a higher strength and lower elongation than the annealed specimen. After tensile deformation, there is a significant increase in the dislocation density. Independent of the material state, the dislocation density increases with increasing strain rate. Compared with the as-built specimen, the annealed specimen has a stronger strain rate sensitivity because of the greater dislocation density variation.