CHEN Wen, LI Kun, YIN Bangzhao, LIAO Ruobing, LI Benxiang, HUANG Huanjie, WU Yingjie, WEN Peng, JIANG Bin, PAN Fusheng
WE43 magnesium alloys exhibit significant potential for applications in aerospace, biomedical, and transportation fields. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology offers a novel approach to optimize their properties. However, the mechanical performance of magnesium alloys produced via this method is often limited by the anisotropy of their microstructure.In this study, the effects of different deposition orientations on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of LPBF-fabricated WE43 magnesium alloys were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the anisotropy in mechanical behavior is closely related to the deposition direction. Specifically, the vertically deposited specimens exhibit an average grain size of 1.86 μm, contributing to a fine-grain strengthening effect. In addition, the high density of low-angle grain boundaries hinders dislocation motion, further enhancing mechanical strength. Moreover, under tensile loading along the build direction, the orientation of existing cracks becomes parallel to the applied stress, thereby reducing crack propagation and improving tensile performance.As a result, vertically deposited specimens demonstrate superior tensile properties compared to the horizontally deposited counterparts, with a yield strength of 282 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 325 MPa, and an elongation of 12%. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing LPBF deposition strategies and lays a technical foundation for the directional design of microstructure and properties in WE43 magnesium alloys.
