Dear Xabier,

For the SLMed AlSi10Mg parts, the melt pool boundaries are significantly noticed inside the as-built microstructure, however, it might not be clearly observed in the heat treated samples. This is due to the decomposition of the fibrous Si network along the microstructure of the sample, in addition to the improvement of the microstructure homogeneity obtained after thermal post-processing especially the T6 treatment.

More details can be found regarding this issue including the details of the optimum polishing and etching procedures in addition to a comprehensive analysis of the AlSi10Mg microstructure of the as-built parts and after thermal post-processing @ the following link:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323807589_Thermal_Post-processing_of_AlSi10Mg_parts_produced_by_Selective_Laser_Melting_using_recycled_powder

Good luck Xabier Garmendia with your research!

best regards,

Ahmed