Effect of strut orientation on the microstructure heterogeneities in AlSi10Mg lattices processed by selective laser melting

The microstructure heterogeneities are compared between inclined and vertical struts of AlSil10Mg lattices processed by Selective Laser Melting. While the vertical struts present a fully dense homogenous microstructure, large levels of porosities and heterogeneous microstructure are present in inclined struts, particularly a much larger lever of porosities in the bottom part of the strut compared to the top part. These differences are due to a larger time spent at high temperature for the bottom zone of the strut. A solutionizing and aging heat treatment homogenizes the microstructure but leads to,a minor softening due to eutectic spheroidization. (C) 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.