- By:
- Perrin, Alice E; Unocic, Kinga A; Poplawsky, Jonathan D; Plotkowski, Alexander J; He, Peidong; Li, Xiaopeng; Yang, Ying
- Journal Name:
- Materials Characterization
- Page Number:
- 115949
- Volume:
- 232
- Publication Date:
- January 13, 2026
- View DOI Listing:
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2025.115949
Abstract
To explore the feasibility of using laser powder bed fusion systems to print bulk amorphous Al alloys, a single autogenous weld produced by laser remelting on a cast Al-5La-9Ni (at.%) alloy was studied for its microstructure and mechanical behavior. The solidification rates experienced by material within the welds were high enough to produce entirely amorphous regions within the welds. Welds were characterized using SEM, STEM, and APT and were found to contain Ni-rich amorphous clusters. Micropillar compression tests were used to assess mechanical properties of the welds and found that all of the amorphous regions exhibited yield strengths around 1 GPa. These results are discussed in the context of diffusivity of Ni and rare earth elements in liquid, glass forming ability, thermodynamic driving force for phase formation during solidification, free volume concentrations in bulk metallic glasses, and cluster-related softening.
