Influence of Al-5.0Nb-0.5B inoculant on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA 2017 alloy fabricated using laser-based powder bed fusion

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Bomfim, Pamela Karina dos Santos ; Batistao, Bruna Fernanda ; de Araujo, Aylanna Priscila Marques ; Pereira, Leandro Henrique ; Buzolin, Ricardo Henrique ; Amancio-Filho, Sergio T. ; Afonso, Conrado Ramos Moreira ; Bolfarini, Claudemiro ; Kiminami, Claudio Shyinti ; Coury, Francisco Gil ; Gargarella, Piter

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Alloys and Compounds; v. 1032, p. 14-pg., 2025-06-10.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of the inoculant Al-5.0Nb-0.5B on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the AA 2017 alloy fabricated using laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The AA 2017 alloy powder was obtained through gas atomization and then mixed with 2 wt% of Al-5.0Nb-0.5B powder (20-53 mu m) and synthesized using the L-PBF technique. The small addition of the Al-5.0Nb-0.5B, coupled with specific processing parameters, led to a reduction in the fraction of cracks and transformed the solidification structure from cellular to equiaxial. Additionally, it resulted in a grain size reduction down to 4.0 f 2.9 mu m and a low fiber texture. Due to the refined grains, the AA 2017 samples with 2 wt% Al-5.0Nb-0.5B exhibited a high yield strength of 215 f 33 MPa and ultimate compressive strength of 602 f 47 MPa, compared to the AA 2017 alloy samples, which exhibited yield strength of 171 f 8 MPa and ultimate compressive strength of 427 f 46 MPa. The addition of a small fraction of Al-5.0Nb-0.5B to the AA 2017 alloy, produced by L-PBF, is a promising alternative for manufacturing lightweight parts with a lower amount of hot cracks and equiaxial microstructure. The results show that the use of inoculant with the micrometric size is an effective alternative to the use of nanoparticles, which has a higher safety risk, is usually difficult to homogenize and may promote agglomeration. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/09544-7 - Surface functionalization of AA2017 powder for additive manufacturing
• Grantee: Bruna Fernanda Batistão
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/27031-4 - Effect of process parameters on the metallurgical characteristics of additive-manufactured alloys
• Grantee: Piter Gargarella
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/07692-9 - Fabrication and characterization of Fe-based bulk metallic glass composites produced by additive manufacturing
• Grantee: Aylanna Priscila Marques de Araújo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate