With the aim of improving the excellent mechanical properties of the SLM-produced AlSi10Mg alloy, this research focuses on post-processing using ECAP (Equal Channel Angular Pressing). In our article, two different post-processing strategies were investigated: (1) low-temperature annealing (LTA) and subsequent ECAP processing at 150 °C; (2) no heat treatment and subsequent ECAP processing at 350 °C, 400 °C and 450 °C. The microstructure and mechanical properties of this alloy were analyzed at each stage of post-treatment. Metallographic observations, combined with SEM and EBSD studies, showed that the alloys produced by SLM have a unique cellular microstructure consisting of Si networks surrounding the Al-based matrix phase. Low-temperature annealing (LTA), followed by ECAP treatment, facilitated the microstructural evolution of the alloy with partial breakup of the Si network and observed nucleation of β-Si precipitates throughout the Al matrix. This resulted in a Vickers microhardness of 153 HV and a yield strength of 415 MPa. The main results show that post-processing of SLM-produced AlSi10Mg alloys using ECAP significantly affects the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy.

Department of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials Silesian University of Technology 18A Konarskiego Street 44 100 Gliwice Poland

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering VSB TU Ostrava 17 listopadu 2172 15 708 00 Ostrava Czech Republic

Institute of Solid Mechanics Mechatronics and Biomechanics Brno University of Technology Technická 2896 2 616 69 Brno Czech Republic

Materials Research Laboratory Silesian University of Technology 18A Konarskiego Street 44 100 Gliwice Poland

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