In situ formation of D022-Al3Ti during selective laser melting of nano-TiC/ AlSi10Mg alloy prepared by electrostatic self-assembly

In this present work, a novel electrostatic self-assembly method was invented to produce AlSi10Mg powders homogeneously decorated with TiC nanoparticles. The TiC/AlSi10Mg alloy with homogenous, crack-free, equiaxed and super fine-grained were produced using selective laser melting (SLM). The in-situ formation of D022-Al3Ti created by TiC and Al matrix during SLM was revealed at the first time and both TiC and D022-Al3Ti nanoparticles were extremely effective inoculant for an SLMed AlSi10Mg alloy. Therefore, the SLMed TiC/ AlSi10Mg alloy exhibited a high tensile strength (ultimate tensile strength - 456 MPa, yield strength -338 MPa) and high microhardness (131 HV0.05), which were higher than the SLMed AlSi10Mg alloy (ultimate tensile strength -437 MPa, yield strength -254 MPa and microhardness -113 HV0.05). This study can be regarded as a guidance in the fabrication of metal matrix nanocomposites using for SLM.

Automated summary

A novel electrostatic self-assembly method was used to produce AlSi10Mg powders homogeneously decorated with TiC nanoparticles, which were then utilized to create TiC/AlSi10Mg alloy using selective laser melting (SLM). The in-situ formation of D022-Al3Ti by TiC and Al matrix during SLM was revealed for the first time, demonstrating their effectiveness as inoculants for an SLMed AlSi10Mg alloy. The SLMed TiC/AlSi10Mg alloy exhibited higher tensile strength and microhardness compared to the SLMed AlSi10Mg alloy, showcasing the potential of this method for fabricating metal matrix nanocomposites using SLM.