Title: Analysis of fatigue processes of SLM materials by acoustic emission

Authors: Vendula Kratochvilova; Frantisek Vlasic; Pavel Mazal; David Palousek; Libor Pantelejev

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract: The paper gives an overview of selective laser melting (SLM) materials properties focusing on fatigue processes and their acoustic emission. The SLM technology belongs to rapid prototyping technologies and allows to quickly produce metal parts with complicated shapes. However, the mechanical properties of these materials are currently worse than those of conventionally produced materials. Acoustic emission method was used to compare fatigue behaviour of SLM and conventionally produced materials. Tested materials were aluminium alloy AW-2618A (AlCu2Mg1,5Ni), copper alloy AMPCOLOY® 944 (Cu7Ni2Si1Cr) and SLM materials with similar chemical composition. The results from all materials were compared. The fractographic and metallographic analysis were also conducted as a complement. In general, the fatigue life of SLM materials is worse than those of conventionally produced. The difference is much more significant in aluminium alloys than in copper alloys. It is caused by the big amount of internal defects and inhomogeneities in SLM materials.

Keywords: SLM; selective laser melting; fatigue; acoustic emission method; additive technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2017.091106

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2017 Vol.12 No.3/4, pp.193 - 205

Received: 31 Jan 2017
Accepted: 28 Jul 2017

Published online: 10 Apr 2018 *

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