Structural investigations of Fe-Zr-Si-Cu metallic glass with low glass-forming ability produced in laser powder bed fusion technology

Fe-based metallic glasses (MG) have become the subject of extensive research in recent years due to their favorable mechanical and magnetic properties. In particular, the production of this type of materials in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), also known as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, is a kind of breakthrough, as it has become possible to produce elements of any shape. An important factor influencing the properties of the manufactured parts is their microstructure. For metallic glass Fe79Zr6Si14Cu1 with low glass-forming ability, produced in SLM technology, tests were carried out in the field of structural X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. In addition, porosity analysis was compared with process parameters such as laser power and scanning speed. The paper shows that the fusion line comprises a solid solution α-Fe(Si) and low fraction of intermetallic Fe23Zr6 and FeZr2 phases. Furthermore, in the melt pool area, a nanometric α-Fe(Si) phase and an amorphous matrix was observed. The presented research results of the Fe79Zr6Si14Cu1 alloy produced for the first time in SLM technology will undoubtendly contribute to further optimization of parameters for elements produced in Additive Manufacturing technology using Fe-based MG.