Utilizing PBF-LB/M AlSI10Mg alloy post-processed via KOBO-extrusion and subsequent cold drawing to obtain...

This study investigates the efficacy of a multi-stage thermo-mechanical processing route, comprising KOBO extrusion followed by cold drawing, for enhancing the mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg alloy produced via by powder bed fusion laser beam melting (PBF-LB/M). The objective was to develop high-strength wires from this additively manufactured alloy. The microstructural evolution throughout the processing sequence was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). KOBO extrusion transformed the initial as-built microstructure into a fine-grained, composite-like structure, characterized by a refined α-Al matrix with homogeneously distributed, fragmented Si particles. This resulted in a compelling combination of mechanical properties, including an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 324 MPa and a total elongation of approximately 10%. Subsequent cold drawing induced significant strain hardening and further grain refinement, achieving an average grain size of - 700 nm. This raised the UTS to 401 MPa, though it was accompanied by a substantial reduction in ductility to - 0.6%. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic combination of KOBO extrusion and cold drawing is a promising pathway for fabricating high-strength AlSi10Mg wires from PBF-LB/M -processed feedstock.