Dominant strengthening mechanism of AlSi10Mg processed by Selective Laser Melting

AlSi10Mg processed by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) exhibits a very fine cellular-eutectic microstructure due to the high cooling rate during the process [1]. This high cooling rate also results in an extended Si solute content in solid solution inside the Al cells. Both the Si in solid solution and the Si precipitated inside the eutectic contribute to the high strength of the alloy. The aims of this poster is to determined which one is the dominant strengthening mechanism through nanoindentation and SEM-EDX tests. [1] A.I. Mertens, J. Delahaye, J. Lecomte-Beckers, Adv. Eng. Mater. 19 (2017) 1–13