Short answer

When designing for applications requiring large, complex metallic glass parts with good deformability, consider additive manufacturing techniques like selective laser melting, while being mindful of potential trade-offs in corrosion resistance.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: Materials (2020)
Method: Experimental investigation and material characterization.
Evidence: Strong effect

Selective laser melting (SLM) overcomes cooling rate limitations, allowing for the fabrication of large, complex Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) composites with tailored mechanical and corrosion properties. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Materials. Using Experimental investigation and material characterization., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for applications requiring large, complex metallic glass parts with good deformability, consider additive manufacturing techniques like selective laser melting, while being mindful of potential trade-offs in corrosion resistance.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Additive Manufacturing Enables Large-Scale Production of Zr-Based Metallic Glass Composites

Materials · 2020

Key Findings

01Selective laser melting can successfully fabricate dense, amorphous Zr-based metallic glass specimens without the size limitations imposed by traditional cooling rate requirements.
02The resulting Zr60Fe10Cu20Al10 bulk metallic glass composite exhibited good deformation ability.
03The presence of crystalline phases in the composite led to a slight decrease in corrosion resistance compared to fully amorphous counterparts.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Explore additive manufacturing for producing large metallic glass components where high strength and deformability are critical, and where minor compromises in corrosion resistance are acceptable or can be mitigated through post-processing or coatings.

Project actions

01When discussing materials, consider how manufacturing methods can enable or limit their use.
02Investigate how different processing techniques affect material properties like strength and corrosion resistance.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the feasibility of using selective laser melting to produce large-scale Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites with desirable deformation and corrosion resistance properties.

MethodExperimental investigation and material characterization.

ProcedureSelective laser melting was employed to fabricate Zr60Fe10Cu20Al10 bulk metallic glass. Laser parameters were optimized for full density. Micro-compression tests were conducted to evaluate mechanical properties, and electrochemical corrosion testing was used to assess corrosion resistance. The resulting composite structure with dispersed nano-crystals was analyzed.

ContextMaterials science and manufacturing, specifically additive manufacturing of metallic alloys.

Variables

IV["Selective laser melting parameters (e.g., laser power, scan speed)","Presence of crystalline phases"]

DV["Density of the fabricated material","Deformation ability (mechanical properties)","Corrosion resistance"]

CV["Alloy composition (Zr60Fe10Cu20Al10)","Base material powder characteristics"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a significant limitation in BMG production (size).
+Provides experimental data on mechanical and corrosion properties.

Limitations

The specific alloy used might not be suitable for all applications, and the reduction in corrosion resistance needs careful consideration.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by direct material characterization and testing of mechanical and corrosion properties. Reliability would depend on the reproducibility of the SLM process and the consistency of the material properties across multiple fabricated samples.

Think critically

How might the observed decrease in corrosion resistance be addressed through further material design or post-processing techniques to make these large BMG composites more broadly applicable?

Design Principles

"Leverage additive manufacturing to overcome material processing limitations and enable complex geometries for advanced materials."

This research demonstrates a viable pathway for producing advanced metallic materials at scales previously unachievable, opening doors for their use in demanding applications. It highlights how additive manufacturing can circumvent traditional production bottlenecks for specialized materials.

What This Means for Your Design

Using 3D printing (selective laser melting) can make big metal glass parts that bend well, even though they might rust a little more easily.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when exploring the use of additive manufacturing for novel material production or when analyzing the trade-offs between manufacturing methods and material properties.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research demonstrates that additive manufacturing, specifically selective laser melting, can overcome traditional limitations in producing large-scale bulk metallic glass composites. The study successfully fabricated Zr60Fe10Cu20Al10 BMG with good deformation ability, highlighting the potential for complex part manufacturing, while also noting a slight decrease in corrosion resistance due to crystalline phases, a factor to consider in design applications.

Source

Materials

Additive Manufactured Large Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass Composites with Desired Deformation Ability and Corrosion Resistance

journal · 2020

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about additive manufacturing enables large-scale production of zr-based metallic glass composites?: When designing for applications requiring large, complex metallic glass parts with good deformability, consider additive manufacturing techniques like selective laser melting, while being mindful of potential trade-offs in corrosion resistance. Evidence: Materials (2020).
Why does "Additive Manufacturing Enables Large-Scale Production of Zr-Based Metallic Glass Composites" matter for design?: This research demonstrates a viable pathway for producing advanced metallic materials at scales previously unachievable, opening doors for their use in demanding applications. It highlights how additive manufacturing can circumvent traditional production bottlenecks for specialized materials.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing for applications requiring large, complex metallic glass parts with good deformability, consider additive manufacturing techniques like selective laser melting, while being mindful of potential trade-offs in corrosion resistance.
What were the main findings?: Selective laser melting can successfully fabricate dense, amorphous Zr-based metallic glass specimens without the size limitations imposed by traditional cooling rate requirements.. The resulting Zr60Fe10Cu20Al10 bulk metallic glass composite exhibited good deformation ability.. The presence of crystalline phases in the composite led to a slight decrease in corrosion resistance compared to fully amorphous counterparts.
What research method was used?: Experimental investigation and material characterization..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Materials.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Explore additive manufacturing for producing large metallic glass components where high strength and deformability are critical, and where minor compromises in corrosion resistance are acceptable or can be mitigated through post-processing or coatings.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific alloy composition and additive manufacturing process; results may vary for other alloys or methods. The slight reduction in corrosion resistance needs to be managed for specific applications.