Improved Thermal Conductivity Of PBF-LB AlSi10Mg Aluminium Structure Through Application Of Post Build Heat Treatments

AlSi10Mg is one of the most widely investigated and deployed aluminium alloys in the world of laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB). It is now well established for the production of complex and lightweight components which require high strength and specific thermal conductivity. Notable applications include electric motor casings and heat exchangers, which will be increasingly important as the transport sector moves towards electrification. Despite extensive previous research on PBF-LB AlSi10Mg, work on improving the thermal conductivity is lacking – it is this knowledge gap which this paper attempts to address. The work presented demonstrates significant improvement in the thermal conductivity of PBF-LB processed AlSi10Mg through a series of heat treatments. A combined HIP-quenching with high-pressure aging process produced the highest increase in thermal conductivity in the temperature range of 25°C to 250°C. This route also resulted in improved tensile properties compared to traditional HIP and T6 cycle heat