Research progress in additive manufacturing technology of magnesium alloys

Abstract

Magnesium alloy as the most potential light structural material, has the advantages of high specific strength, specific stiffness and easy recycling, which contributes to the realization of lightweight in the industrial field. Compared with the traditional manufacturing technologies, the new and advanced manufacturing technology of additive manufacturing represent for high manufacturing efficiency, excellent performance, and forming complex structures. The technology of additive manufacturing for magnesium alloy, which has broad application prospects in the industrial field, is urgently required to be studied. In this paper, the recent studies of the three major additive manufacturing technologies for magnesium alloy: selective laser melting, wire+arc additive manufacturing, and friction stir additive manufacturing were summarized and analyzed from the aspects of forming characteristic, defect control, and features of microstructure and property.Finally, the developments in shape and performance control of the additive manufacturing technology for magnesium alloy: simulation analysis, process control, and heat source regulation were discussed.

Keywords

• magnesium alloy
• additive manufacturing
• forming characteristic
• defect control
• microstructure and property