Contribution of Mg2Si precipitates to the strength of direct metal laser sintered AlSi10Mg

Microstructure of deformed DMLS-AlSi10Mg under quasi-static loading was studied using TEM to elaborate the strengthening mechanisms. In addition to Orowan (due to presence of Si precipitates), Hall-Petch (due to eutectic Si walls), and dislocation hardening (due to pre-existing entangled dislocations) mechanisms, Mg2Si precipitates (colonies) contributed to the strength of alloy by impeding dislocation motion. The level of this contribution was evaluated as ~13 MPa by comparing the modeled and measured yield strength.