Experimental investigation on powder processing and its flow properties of AlSi10Mg alloy with niobium carbide for additive manufacturing

In this study, aluminium-silicon alloy AlSi10Mg powder of spherical morphology was mixed with niobium carbide powder had irregular morphology in weight percentages of 2, 4, 6 and 8 and processed in a planetary ball mill apparatus. The optimal conditions for powder processing were a mixing time of 1.95 h and a speed of 71 RPM without milling balls. The use of milling balls was avoided to maintain the morphology of AlSi10Mg from degradation and improve the flowability of composite powder. To evaluate the flowability of processed powders, flow properties such as apparent density, tapped density, Hausner’s ratio, Carr index, static angle of repose and Hall flow rate were determined. Selective laser melting was used to fabricate AlSi10Mg composite specimens with varying percentages of niobium carbide. Finally, at 6% niobium carbide, the selective laser melting cube specimen had a maximum relative density of 99.21%.