We just received a new paper from Politecnico di Torino on LPBF printed AM8019 powders.
In a nutshell:
it prints well as-is; it shows the high strength you’d expect.
An article just made it on the VALIMET, Inc. Literature list:
“Al-Fe-Ce alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion: microstructure and mechanical characterization”.
See it here: https://valimet.com/literature/additive-manufacturing/
It’s written by Nicolò Arcieri, Prof. Silvia Marola, Prof. Marco Actis Grande, Prof. Diego Manfredi and complete the previous work presented at the PM World Congress in the Fall of 2024.
Key points:
- Crack-free L-PBF processing (despite high Fe content): BINGO.
- High strength (Tensile: ~530 MPa | Microhardness: ~201 HV | rather low elongation, ca. 6%);
- Exceptional thermal stability (stable microstructure up to ~580 °C);
- 99.5% relative density without hot cracking;
- Microstructure: Melt-pool heterogeneity with intermetallic-rich regions;
- Check the intermetallics’ network: Al₁₃Fe₄, Al₆Fe, Al₁₁Ce₃.
(Not included in this study is the Fatigue resistance of 8019, typically average or sub-average, compared to other high strength Aluminum Alloys in cast component).
Something else that’s serious about Cerium:
- it’s a highly underutilized Rare Earth, largely available, often treated as a cheap by-product.
- The biggest mine in the Western World is in California, owned by MP Materials, down the road that takes you from VALIMET to Las Vegas.
We recommend keeping Al-Ce alloys on your Radar, folks.
For powder sample requests, write us at: sales@valimet.com.
#AdditiveManufacturing #AluminumAlloys #RareEarths #Cerium #LaserPowderBedFusion #AMMaterials #HeatResistantAlloys #Aeronautics #SpaceIndustry