Author

James Wagnon

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Judith Schneider

Committee Member

Nicholas Ginga

Committee Member

Jeffrey Gaddes

Research Advisor

Judith Schneider

Subject(s)

Aluminum alloys--Mechanical properties, Aluminum alloys--Heat treatment, Additive manufacturing

Abstract

Mechanical and microstructural evaluation was carried out on a modified 2XXX series aluminum alloy designed for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Aluminum 2139AM samples printed via LPBF were given three distinct heat treatments: baseline T4 with water quench, modified T4 with hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and natural cooling, and modified T4 with HIP and rapid gas quench. This study examines the effects of the experimental HIP treatment with rapid gas cooling on the LPBF samples to increase ductility and assess the potential of the material as an AM replacement for 2024-T4 aluminum parts. Use of HIP processing on 2139AM was successful at increasing elongation at break to 11% compared to 8% without HIP attributed to decreased porosity. Al2Cu precipitates were identified as the principal strengthening precipitate, and precipitate size and dispersion with respect to cooling rates are discussed.

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