Aluminum Alloy for Additive Technologies

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to metallurgy, more particularly to a composition and a process for producing part blanks and finished parts from aluminum-based alloys including but not limited to using selective laser melting processes. The proposed aluminum-based alloy comprising magnesium, zirconium and scandium for atomization an aluminum powder therefrom and subsequent producing finished parts by additive technologies has a reduced content of scandium and further comprises oxygen and calcium with a limited size of the oxide film and a moister content.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. 17 / 100,578, filed Nov. 20, 2020, which claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT / RU2018 / 000313 filed May 21, 2018. The contents from the above are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure relates to the field of aluminum metallurgy and can be used for producing part blanks and finished parts from aluminum based alloys, including but not limited to using selective laser melting (SLM) processes.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0003]At present, aluminum alloys based on Al—Si and Al—Mg—Sc systems are widely used to produce various parts using additive technologies.[0004]Known is AlSi10Mg aluminum alloy used in a powder form to produce finished parts with additive technologies. Although said alloy has good processability and allows to achieve mechanical properties at the level of cast alloys. But this level of characteri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0054]According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to producing an aluminum alloy with high-strength properties (ultimate tensile strength of at least 470 MPa) and an increased elongation level of at least of 11% and its powder for producing part blanks and finished parts by additive technologies. A distinctive feature is a low powder cost due to its optimized composition and a lower concentration of expensive elements compared to the closest prior art so that the production costs of finished parts may be substantially reduced due to the use of less expensive feed stock. The powder may be used for producing high-loaded finished parts for use, among other things, under exposure to an impact load requiring improved strength and plastic characteristics.

Problems solved by technology

But this level of characteristics is insufficient to compete with high-strength wrought alloys.

However a high cost of scandium at present results in a low interest of designers and process engineers in the use of these materials.

Accordingly, there exists an actual problem of developing high-strength and reasonably priced new materials for additive technologies.

A drawback of the known aluminum alloy is a high content (4 to 10 wt.

In addition, quenching is required for achieving high level of tensile properties, which may cause various distortions during heat treatment and result in a longer time for producing finished parts.

A drawback of this alloy is a high silicon content (1 to 4 wt.

%) which substantially improves the casting properties but results in forming coarse excess phases lowering the material plasticity characteristics due to a poor coherency to the aluminum matrix.

A drawback of the claimed aluminum alloy is a high material cost due to a high content of scandium (up to 30 wt.

%) and other rare elements; in addition, over alloying of the material results in lower plasticity and fatigue characteristics.

A technical problem to be solved by the proposed disclosure is to develop an aluminum powder for producing high-strength and reasonably priced part blanks and finished parts by additive technologies.

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