Investigation by 3D nano-imaging of the multiple healing ability and kinetics of new 3D printed high strength Al alloys

Al parts might be subjected to overloads leading to voids, cracks and the replacement of the part. A promising solution is thus to use self-healing material. A self-healing Al alloy was produced by LPBF using liquid-asssisted healing strategy. The microstructure is composed of high melting point Al cells surrounded by a lower melting point eutectic network. During an overload, void nucleation occurs due to fracture of the eutectic network. The idea is to apply a heat treatment to trigger the melting of the low melting point eutectic phase which can thus flow and fill the voids due to damage. The healing potential of these LPBF Al-Mg alloys was already proven but the mechanical properties of the developed healable Al-Mg alloy are rather low compared to other high strength Al alloys. Alloying elements were thus introduced in the material and their effect on the healing efficiency should be analysed.