Establishing specimen property to part performance relationships for laser beam powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

This study investigates the possibility of correlating specimen property to part performance for laser beam powder bed fusion (LB-PBF) additive manufacturing by altering process parameters in order create similar thermal histories experienced during fabrication. In particular, effects scanning speed on LB-PBF 17-4 precipitation hardening (PH) stainless steel (SS) parts with different geometries history, as well resultant defect formation, microstructure, and fatigue behavior are studied. It was found that geometries, all fabricated using same manufacturer recommended parameters, exhibited strengths, which challenges correlation. Melt pool analysis revealed can affect melt characteristics including its depth overlap depth. Increasing input energy within window, decreasing fabrication, seen result deeper pools overlaps, consequently, less volumetric defects, specifically lack fusion, material. Therefore, adjusted characteristics, an indicator history also resulted these having porosity. Accordingly, lives were observed be a range. While many other factors may involved, findings this research indicate maintaining is critical establishing reliable relationships between manufacturing.