On the experimentation of the laser-powder bed fusion process for high-strength aluminum alloys

Abstract. Additive Manufacturing (AM), a cutting-edge technique developed for the manufacture of prototypes that aims to produce large-scale products tailored for numerous industrial applications, has found increasing space in recent years. In this context, Laser-Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology represents one of the most intriguing ones considering the large number of processable and under-development alloys. By combining the inherent benefits of this technology, it is then possible to produce components with improved mechanical characteristics and low weight. Nevertheless, improved properties such as thermal and electrical conductivity, strength, and corrosion resistance can be achieved. In this scenario, high-performance aluminum-based alloys, tailored for the metal AM have raised increasing interest in the industrial framework. In this work, the LPBF processing of an Al-Mg-Sc-Zr was investigated. The tensile characteristics, the microhardness, the density and the microstructure of L-PBF specimens were analyzed.