Fabrication and characterization of a low magnetic Zr-1Mo alloy by powder bed fusion using a fiber laser

A low magnetic Zr-1Mo alloy was fabricated by a powder bed fusion (PBF) process using a fiber laser. The microstructure, surface morphology, and pore distribution of the as-built Zr-1Mo alloy were observed. Its magnetic susceptibility and Vickers hardness were evaluated by magnetic susceptibility balance and a microindentation tester, respectively. The as-built Zr-1Mo alloy mainly consisted of an α′ phase with an acicular structure. From the processing maps of the surface morphology and pore distribution, open pores on the top surface due to the lack of fusion corresponded to grid-like distributed pores, and large pores corresponded to balling particles on the top surface. The Vickers hardness was influenced by the oxygen and nitrogen contents rather than the porosity. The magnetic susceptibilities of the as-built Zr-1Mo alloy still were one-third those of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb, thus PBF can be applicable to the fabrication process for the low magnetic Zr-1Mo alloy.