Additively manufactured high strength aluminium alloy AA7075 was prepared
using selective laser melting. High strength aluminium alloys prepared by
selective laser melting have not been widely studied to date. The evolution of
microstructure and hardness, with the attendant corrosion, were investigated.
Additively manufactured AA7075 was investigated both in the as-produced
condition and as a function of artificial ageing. The microstructure of
specimens prepared was studied using electron microscopy. Production of AA7075
by selective laser melting generated a unique microstructure, which was altered
by solutionising and further altered by artificial ageing - resulting in
microstructures distinctive to that of wrought AA7075-T6. The electrochemical
response of additively manufactured AA7075 was dependent on processing history,
and unique to wrought AA7075-T6, whereby dissolution rates were generally lower
for additively manufactured AA7075. Furthermore, immersion exposure testing
followed by microscopy, indicated different corrosion morphology for additively
manufactured AA7075, whereby resultant pit size was notably smaller, in
contrast to wrought AA7075-T6.Comment: 37 pages, includes 4 Tables and 11 Figure
