Influence of post processing on the micro-machinability of selective laser melted AlSi10Mg: an experimental investigation

ABSTRACT

In the present era, machinability studies of selective laser melted (SLM) samples are immensely significant due to the rapid development in hybrid additive manufacturing. In such hybrid process material removal is also performed along with the 3D fabrication of near-net shaped products. Therefore, this work is an effort to compare the machinability characteristics of various samples, namely, cast and SLM produced AlSi10 Mg along with their effect when subjected to T6 solution heat treatment. In the cutting force analysis, it is found that there is an increase in the thrust force (114.8%) and cutting force (33.25%) for SLM manufactured samples in comparison with cast samples. On the other hand, heat treatment on the SLM fabricated samples resulted in the decrease of thrust force (6.94%) and cutting force (13.29%). In addition, the heat treated SLM produced sample showed a steep reduction in Sa by 86.5% compared to as-printed sample. Moreover, lengthier chips were observed in both cast and SLM fabricated specimens, whereas shorter and curlier chips were observed in both heat treated specimen.

KEYWORDS:

• AlSi10mg alloy
• additive manufacturing
• selective laser melting
• micro-turning
• machinability
• surface hardness
• surface roughness

Acknowledgements

Authors extends their sincere gratitude to Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for the research facilities under the FIST scheme (SR/FST/ETI 388/2015). Authors also thank Dr. Afzaal Ahmed, Asst. Prof., Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad for his support to complete this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India [SR/FST/ETI 388/2015].