Use of High-Pressure Heat Treatment (HPHTTM) for L-PBF F357

Abstract

Abstract. Recent advancements in hot isostatic pressing (HIP) equipment now offer the ability to integrate HIP and heat treatment in the HIP furnace with the aid of controllable high-speed cooling and in-HIP quenching. This approach not only offers improvement in productivity but provides a path to prevent anomalies during heat treatment including thermally induced porosity (TIP) and part quench cracking or distortion. This manuscript will cover the approach of High Pressure Heat Treatment (HPHTTM) applied to SLM Solutions laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) printed high strength aluminum alloy F357. Microstructure, tensile properties, and part distortion are evaluated. The results capture a post process method making it possible to prevent hydrogen blistering, mitigate defects present in the L-PBF material, offer strength properties exceeding that of MMPDS cast properties, and minimize geometric distortion of complex part geometries.