Ultrasonic-assisted laser metal deposition(UALMD) technology was used to fabricate Al 4047 parts. The effect of the powder feeding laser power, remelting laser power and ultrasonic power on the relative density of the parts was investigated. The relative density, microstructure and mechanical properties of the specimens obtained by the optimized process parameters were compared with the corresponding properties of the cast alloys. The results showed that dense alloys with a maximum density of 99.1% were prepared using ultrasonic vibration and by remelting the previously deposited layer with the optimized processing parameters, and its density was almost equivalent to that of the cast parts. The microstructure of the samples using optimal laser parameters presented columnar Al dendrites and equiaxed Si particles at the boundary of each deposited layer, while the supersaturated Al solid solution was transformed into equiaxed crystal surrounded by fine fibrous Si phases at the center of the layer. Moreover, the size of the primary Al and the Si particles in the samples produced by UALMD was remarkably refined compared to that of the primary Al and Si particles in the cast structure, resulting in grain refining strengthening. The observed variation in the microstructure had an obvious impact on the tensile properties. The mechanical behavior of the deposit obtained by UALMD revealed superior tensile strength, yield strength and tensile ductility values of 227 ± 3 MPa, 107 ± 4 MPa and 12.2 ± 1.4%, which were approximately 51%, 38% and 56% higher than those of the cast materials, respectively.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.