The role of scan strategies in fatigue performance for laser powder bed fusion

Abstract

The integrity of additively manufactured components is limited by the number, size, type and location of defects encapsulated in the build. Our ability to manufacture fatigue resistant components by the powder bed fusion process is still nascent as a result. The location of defects within a build volume is known to be of significance but efforts are yet to achieve superior manufacturing strategies resulting in tolerable fatigue performance. In this work the role of laser scan strategies is investigated in determining fatigue performance of printed components. Fractography and X-ray computed tomography data are presented to support this.