AlSi10Mg is a lightweight, high-strength

aluminium alloy An aluminium alloy ( UK/IUPAC) or aluminum alloy ( NA; see spelling differences) is an alloy in which aluminium (Al) is the predominant metal. The typical alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin, nickel and zinc. There ...

that is widely used in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. Its unique combination of

aluminium Aluminium (or aluminum in North American English) is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol Al and atomic number 13. It has a density lower than that of other common metals, about one-third that of steel. Aluminium has ...

silicon Silicon is a chemical element; it has symbol Si and atomic number 14. It is a hard, brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic lustre, and is a tetravalent metalloid (sometimes considered a non-metal) and semiconductor. It is a membe ...

, and

magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal having a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. Like the other alkaline earth metals (group 2 ...

makes it an ideal material for additive manufacturing processes, such as

3D printing 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer ...

Composition

The composition of AlSi10Mg typically consists of approximately 90%

, 9%

, and 1%

. The alloy may also contain small amounts of other elements, such as

iron Iron is a chemical element; it has symbol Fe () and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's o ...

copper Copper is a chemical element; it has symbol Cu (from Latin ) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkish-orang ...

, and

zinc Zinc is a chemical element; it has symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodic tabl ...

, to improve its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The precise composition of AlSi10Mg may vary depending on the specific manufacturing process used and the intended application of the alloy. However, the general proportions of aluminum, silicon, and magnesium remain consistent in most formulations of the alloy. The addition of silicon to the alloy improves its

strength Strength may refer to: Personal trait *Physical strength, as in people or animals *Character strengths like those listed in the Values in Action Inventory *The exercise of willpower Physics * Mechanical strength, the ability to withstand ...

and

hardness In materials science, hardness (antonym: softness) is a measure of the resistance to plastic deformation, such as an indentation (over an area) or a scratch (linear), induced mechanically either by Pressing (metalworking), pressing or abrasion ...

, while magnesium enhances its ductility and corrosion resistance. The combination of these elements results in a material that is lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion, making it well-suited for a range of applications. AlSi10Mg-0403 alloy is a specific type of AlSi10Mg that comprises aluminium alloyed with silicon of mass fraction up to 10%, small quantities of magnesium and iron, along with other minor elements. The presence of silicon makes the alloy both harder and stronger than pure aluminium due to the formation of precipitate. The chemical composition of AlSi10Mg is according to ASTM F3318, making it an essential aluminium alloy in

additive manufacturing 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer ...

Properties and applications

The history of AlSi10Mg dates back to the mid-20th century when

aluminium alloys An aluminium alloy (British English, UK/International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, IUPAC) or aluminum alloy (North American English, NA; see American and British English spelling differences, spelling differences) is an alloy in which al ...

were being developed for various applications. The combination of

, and

was found to offer an ideal balance of strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. Today, AlSi10Mg is used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, medical, and defence. Its unique combination of properties makes it a versatile material that can be used for everything from lightweight structural components to heat sinks and electronic enclosures. One of the primary advantages of AlSi10Mg is its high

strength-to-weight ratio The specific strength is a material's (or muscle's) strength (force per unit area at failure) divided by its density. It is also known as the strength-to-weight ratio or strength/weight ratio or strength-to-mass ratio. In fiber or textile applic ...

. This makes it an ideal material for producing lightweight components that require high strength, such as aircraft parts and automotive components. The alloy also has excellent

thermal conductivity The thermal conductivity of a material is a measure of its ability to heat conduction, conduct heat. It is commonly denoted by k, \lambda, or \kappa and is measured in W·m−1·K−1. Heat transfer occurs at a lower rate in materials of low ...

, which makes it useful for heat transfer applications, such as in heat sinks and cooling systems. The alloy's excellent strength-to-weight ratio and thermal conductivity made it a popular choice for aircraft components, such as engine parts, landing gear, and wing structures. Another advantage of AlSi10Mg is its

corrosion resistance Corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable oxide. It is the gradual deterioration of materials (usually a metal) by chemical or electrochemical reaction with their environment. Corrosion engine ...

. Aluminum naturally forms a thin oxide layer that protects it from corrosion, and the addition of silicon and magnesium further enhances this property. This makes AlSi10Mg an excellent choice for components that are exposed to harsh environments, such as marine or aerospace applications. AlSi10Mg can be machined, spark-eroded, welded, micro shot-peened, polished, and coated if required. Conventionally cast components in this type of aluminium alloy are often heat treated to improve their properties. In addition, as technology continues to advance, it is likely that the use of AlSi10Mg will continue to grow and evolve. Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving the alloy's properties and exploring new applications.

3D printing

In recent years, the development of additive manufacturing processes, such as

, has increased the use of AlSi10Mg. AlSi10Mg is well-suited for additive manufacturing processes such as

selective laser melting Selective laser melting (SLM) is one of many proprietary names for a metal Additive Manufacturing, additive manufacturing (AM) technology that uses a bed of powder with a source of heat to create metal parts. Also known as direct metal laser sin ...

(SLM) and

electron beam melting Electron-beam additive manufacturing, or electron-beam melting (EBM) is a type of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, for metal parts. The raw material (metal powder or wire) is placed under a vacuum and fused together from heating by an ele ...

(EBM). 3D printing with AlSi10Mg allows for the creation of complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing methods. The alloy's high strength and ductility also make it easy to work with during the printing process, allowing for the creation of high-quality, precise components.

Limitations

Despite its many advantages, there are some limitations to the use of AlSi10Mg. The alloy can be expensive compared to other aluminium alloys, and it requires specialised equipment and expertise to work with, which can add to the cost and complexity of production.

References

{{Aluminium alloys