Effects of SiC Content on Wear Resistance of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Matrix Composites Fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion

In this paper, in situ SiC-reinforced Al-Zn-Mg-Cu composites were fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The effects of SiC content on the microstructure, phase composition, microhardness, and wear resistance of as-printed composites were preliminarily investigated. Results show that the microstructure was regulated, the matrix grains were refined, and the tendency to orientation grain growth was suppressed. SiC particles reacted in situ with the Al matrix to produce Si, Al4C3, and Al4SiC4 phases. The microhardness and wear resistance of as-printed composites increased with SiC content due to the fine grain strengthening of the matrix and the second phase strengthening of precipitates and reinforcements.