Effect of interlayer rapid cooling on the microstructure and properties of aluminum alloys produced by wire arc additive manufacturing

To reduce the impact of heat accumulation during additive manufacturing, this study used the dual-pulse GMAW-AM (Gas Metal Arc Welding-Additive Manufacturing) method for the preparation of aluminum silicon alloy components, and an interlayer rapid cooling device was designed for additive manufacturing. The results showed that the proportion of small-angle grain boundaries in the IRC-WAAM (Interlayer Rapid Cooling-Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) component was 10.893% greater than that in the WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) component, and the proportion of small grains was greater. The hardness of the IRC-WAAM component in the bottom area increased by 12.65% compared to that of the WAAM component, and the hardness in the middle area increased by 15.16%.