Multiscale hierarchical and heterogeneous mechanical response of additively manufactured novel Al alloy investigated by high-resolution nanoindentation mapping.

Smart alloying and microstructural engineering mitigate challenges associated with laser-powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (L-PBFAM). A novel Al-Ni-Ti-Zr alloy utilized grain refinement by heterogeneous nucleation and eutectic solidification to achieve superior performance-printability synergy. Conventional mechanical testing cannot delineate complex micromechanics of such alloys.

Co-introduction of precipitate hardening and TRIP in a TWIP high-entropy alloy using friction stir alloying.

Tuning deformation mechanisms is imperative to overcome the well-known strength-ductility paradigm. Twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP), transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) and precipitate hardening have been investigated separately and have been altered to achieve exceptional strength or ductility in several alloy systems. In this study, we use a novel solid-state alloying method-friction stir alloying (FSA)-to tune the microstructure, and a composition of a TWIP high-entropy alloy by adding Ti, and thus activating site-specific deformation mechanisms that occur concomitantly in a single alloy.