Microstructure and Properties of AlSi10Mg Alloy Strengthened with LaB6 Particles by Selective Laser Melting

YU Tianshuo; CAO Yuanxun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.008

PDF(19375 KB)

Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (5) : 92-100. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.008

Additive Manufacturing

Microstructure and Properties of AlSi10Mg Alloy Strengthened with LaB6 Particles by Selective Laser Melting

YU Tianshuo, CAO Yuanxun^*

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The work aims to address the issues of significant anisotropy and poor mechanical properties in AlSi10Mg alloy formed by selective laser melting (SLM) by LaB6 particle reinforced phase solution. The test was conducted by strengthening AlSi10Mg alloy with different LaB6 particles addition and SLM forming, and analyzing the microstructure of the formed samples through OM. The similarities and differences in the internal structure of formed samples with different LaB6 addition were analyzed by XRD, SEM, EBSD and other equipment. The strengthening mechanism of LaB6 particles on SLM formed AlSi10Mg alloy was analyzed through mechanical properties analysis. The results showed that no second phase formation was observed in XRD analysis, and with the increase of LaB6 strengthening agent particles addition, the α-Al diffraction peak shifted to the left. In microstructural observations, it was found that LaB6 particles transformed dendrites from elongated to grid like, and the number of equiaxed crystals increased with the addition of LaB6 particles, resulting in a significant weakening of the [001] texture; In the mechanical performance test, it was found that the optimal addition amount of LaB6 strengthening agent particles was 0.8wt.%, which increased the longitudinal elongation and eliminated the anisotropy of SLM formed AlSi10Mg alloy. The conclusion is that LaB6 can not only effectively refine the grain size, but also change the growth mode of the grain. With the addition of LaB6 particles, a large number of heterogeneous nucleation phenomena appear during the solidification process of the melt pool, and the proportion of equiaxed crystals continues to increase, weakening the [001] texture. When the addition amount exceeds 0.8wt.%, the grain refinement effect decreases significantly, and the columnar crystals completely transform into equiaxed crystals, and the [001] texture disappears. Through tensile testing, it is found that LaB6 strengthening agent particles can significantly increase the longitudinal elongation of the alloy and eliminate anisotropy. However, excessive addition can cause local brittleness and reduce toughness due to particle aggregation.

Key words

LaB6 / selective laser melting / AlSi10Mg alloy / microstructure and properties / defect control

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

YU Tianshuo, CAO Yuanxun. Microstructure and Properties of AlSi10Mg Alloy Strengthened with LaB6 Particles by Selective Laser Melting[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(5): 92-100 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.008

References

[1] 武千业, 吴玉娟, 邓庆琛, 等. 镁合金及其镁基材料增材制造技术研究现状与展望[J]. 有色金属工程, 2024, 14(12): 63-82.
WU Q Y, WU Y J, DENG Q C, et al.Additive Manufacturing of Magnesium Alloys: A Review[J]. Nonferrous Metals Engineering, 2024, 14(12): 63-82.
[2] 魏小红, 刘鹏宇, 路超, 等. 金属增材制造技术的应用现状及发展趋势[J]. 焊接技术, 2025, 54(10): 7-13.
WEI X H, LIU P Y, LU C, et al.Application Status and Development Trend of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology[J]. Welding Technology, 2025, 54(10): 7-13.
[3] 王磊, 卢秉恒. 我国增材制造技术与产业发展研究[J]. 中国工程科学, 2022, 24(4): 202-211.
WANG L, LU B H.Development of Additive Manufacturing Technology and Industry in China[J]. Strategic Study of CAE, 2022, 24(4): 202-211.
[4] GU D D, WANG H Q, CHANG F, et al.Selective Laser Melting Additive Manufacturing of TiC/AlSi10Mg Bulk-form Nanocomposites with Tailored Microstructures and Properties[J]. Physics Procedia, 2014, 56: 108-116.
[5] HONG C, GU D D, DAI D H, et al.Laser Metal Deposition of TiC/Inconel 718 Composites with Tailored Interfacial Microstructures[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2013, 54: 98-109.
[6] GU D D, HAGEDORN Y C, MEINERS W, et al.Selective Laser Melting of In-Situ TiC/Ti5Si3 Composites with Novel Reinforcement Architecture and Elevated Performance[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2011, 205(10): 3285-3292.
[7] 安治国, 张志强, 叶了. 选区激光熔化AlSi₁₀Mg蜂窝夹层管制备及其力学性能研究[J]. 精密成形工程, 2024, 16(6): 181-190.
AN Z G, ZHANG Z Q, YE L.Preparation and Mechanical Properties of AlSi₁₀Mg Honeycomb Sandwich Tube by Selective Laser Melting[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering, 2024, 16(6): 181-190.
[8] GOURLAY C M, DAHLE A K.Dilatant Shear Bands in Solidifying Metals[J]. Nature, 2007, 445(7123): 70-73.
[9] HERZOG D, SEYDA V, WYCISK E, et al.Additive Manufacturing of Metals[J]. Acta Materialia, 2016, 117: 371-392.
[10] DEBROY T, WEI H L, ZUBACK J S, et al.Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Components-Process, Structure and Properties[J]. Progress in Materials Science, 2018, 92: 112-224.
[11] TODD I.No More Tears for Metal 3D Printing[J]. Nature, 2017, 549(7672): 342-343.
[12] LI X P, JI G, CHEN Z, et al.Selective Laser Melting of Nano-TiB₂ Decorated AlSi₁₀Mg Alloy with High Fracture Strength and Ductility[J]. Acta Materialia, 2017, 129: 183-193.
[13] XI L X, GU D D, GUO S, et al.Grain Refinement in Laser Manufactured Al-Based Composites with TiB₂ Ceramic[J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2020, 9(3): 2611-2622.
[14] WANG P, GAMMER C, BRENNE F, et al.A Heat Treatable TiB₂/Al-3.5Cu-1.5Mg-1Si Composite Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting: Microstructure, Heat Treatment and Mechanical Properties[J]. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2018, 147: 162-168.
[15] CHANG F, GU D D, DAI D H, et al.Selective Laser Melting of In-Situ Al₄SiC4+SiC Hybrid Reinforced Al Matrix Composites: Influence of Starting SiC Particle Size[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2015, 272: 15-24.
[16] TAN Q Y, ZHANG J Q, MO N, et al.A Novel Method to 3D-Print Fine-Grained AlSi₁₀Mg Alloy with Isotropic Properties via Inoculation with LaB₆ Nanoparticles[J]. Additive Manufacturing, 2020, 32: 101034.
[17] XIONG Z H, LIU S L, LI S F, et al.Role of Melt Pool Boundary Condition in Determining the Mechanical Properties of Selective Laser Melting AlSi₁₀Mg Alloy[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 2019, 740: 148-156.
[18] ZHOU Y H, LI W P, WANG D W, et al.Selective Laser Melting Enabled Additive Manufacturing of Ti-22Al- 25Nb Intermetallic: Excellent Combination of Strength and Ductility, and Unique Microstructural Features Associated[J]. Acta Materialia, 2019, 173: 117-129.
[19] WANG Y M, VOISIN T, MCKEOWN J T, et al.Additively Manufactured Hierarchical Stainless Steels with High Strength and Ductility[J]. Nature Materials, 2018, 17(1): 63-71.
[20] WANG K, JIANG H Y, JIA Y W, et al.Nanoparticle-Inhibited Growth of Primary Aluminum in Al-10Si Alloys[J]. Acta Materialia, 2016, 103: 252-263.
[21] DU Q, LI Y J.An Extension of the Kampmann-Wagner Numerical Model towards As-Cast Grain Size Prediction of Multicomponent Aluminum Alloys[J]. Acta Materialia, 2014, 71: 380-389.
[22] WANG K, JIANG H Y, WANG Y X, et al.Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hypoeutectic Al-Si Composite Reinforced with TiCN Nanoparticles[J]. Materials & Design, 2016, 95: 545-554.
[23] PRASAD A, YUAN L, LEE P, et al.Towards Understanding Grain Nucleation under Additive Manufacturing Solidification Conditions[J]. Acta Materialia, 2020, 195: 392-403.
[24] PATEL M N, QIU D, WANG G, et al.Understanding the Refinement of Grains in Laser Surface Remelted Al-Cu Alloys[J]. Scripta Materialia, 2020, 178: 447-451.
[25] ZHANG M X, KELLY P M.Crystallographic Features of Phase Transformations in Solids[J]. Progress in Materials Science, 2009, 54(8): 1101-1170.
[26] ZHANG M X, KELLY P M.Edge-to-Edge Matching Model for Predicting Orientation Relationships and Habit Planes—The Improvements[J]. Scripta Materialia, 2005, 52(10): 963-968.
[27] ZHANG M X, KELLY P M, EASTON M A, et al.Crystallographic Study of Grain Refinement in Aluminum Alloys Using the Edge-to-Edge Matching Model[J]. Acta Materialia, 2005, 53(5): 1427-1438.
[28] SHIFLET G J, MERWE J H.The Role of Structural Ledges as Misfit- Compensating Defects: FCC-Bcc Interphase Boundaries[J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 1994, 25(9): 1895-1903.
[29] STJOHN D H, QIAN M, EASTON M, et al.The Interdependence Theory: The Relationship between Grain Formation and Nucleant Selection[J]. Acta Materialia, 2011, 59(12): 4907-4921.

Funding

Scientific Research Project of Jilin Vocational College of Industry and Technology (26KY13KJY); Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology Youth Science and Technology Talent Training Project (2025060209RC)