Densification behavior, microstructure evolution, and wear property of TiC nanoparticle reinforced AlSi10Mg bulk-form nanocomposites prepared by selective laser melting

Selective laser melting (SLM), due to its unique additive manufacturing processing philosophy, demonstrates a high potential in producing bulk-form nanocomposites with novel nanostructures and enhanced properties. In this study, the nanoscale TiC particle reinforced AlSi10Mg nanocomposite parts were produced by SLM process. The influence of “laser energy per unit length” (LEPUL) on densification behavior, microstructural evolution, and wear property of SLM-processed nanocomposites was studied. It showed that using an insufficient LEPUL of 250 J/m lowered the SLM densification due to the balling effect and the formation of residual pores. The highest densification level (>98% theoretical density) was achieved for SLM-processed parts processed at the LEPUL of 700 J/m. The TiC reinforcement in SLM-processed parts experienced a structural change from the standard nanoscale particle morphology (the average size 75–92 nm) to the relatively coarsened submicron structure (the mean particle size 161 nm) as the app...