Fatigue Behaviour of Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Produced by Selective Laser Melting.

Selective Laser Melted (SLM) Inconel 718 has promising use in various applications, where complex design and excellent strength is required. Yet fatigue properties of respective components in critical load bearing applications are yet poorly understood. Here, we investigate the fatigue behaviour of different notch geometries of as-build specimens at room temperature. The fatigue strength of semi-circular and v-shaped notch geometries are evaluated and the results compared with those of smooth specimens. The stress fields of the different geometries are analysed by use of analytical models and numerically by use of finite element. The fatigue data shows a smaller scatter in the geometries with printed overhangs than the ones without. High values of notch sensitivity is obtained for both notch geometries. Fatigue properties of AM Inconel 718 are so far underexplored, this research therefore adds to the applicability of this material and manufacturing method for load bearing applications.