Exploring Fatigue Behavior of Additively Manufactured Ti Alloys: A Systematic Review

What is it about?

Additively Manufacturing (AM) technology creates complex titanium structures in aerospace, defense, and biomechanical industries. selective laser melting (SLM) enables lightweight designs. However, fatigue behavior of SLM Ti-6Al-4V alloy is not fully understood due to defects and process factors. To optimize fatigue performance, parameters and treatments must be optimized. Recent studies explore factors affecting fatigue performance. This review analyzes critical parameters like residual stress, microstructure, build parameters, and more. It aims to identify areas needing attention for SLM Ti-6Al-4V alloy to reach its potential in advanced component design.

Featured Image

Photo by Hermeus on Unsplash

Photo by Hermeus on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article focuses on the use of selective laser melting (SLM) to produce lightweight structures with complex geometries, primarily using titanium (Ti) alloys. This technology has gained significant attention due to its ability to design and develop structural components for aerospace, defense, and biomechanical industries. However, understanding the fatigue behavior of SLM-fabricated Ti-6Al-4V components in high cycle fatigue (HCF) and very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) regimes is still a challenge. The complex nature of fatigue responses, influenced by factors such as defects/porosity and various process parameters, necessitates a systematic investigation. Therefore, this article provides a critical review of recent studies that analyze crucial parameters like residual stress, surface roughness, build parameters, microstructural features, post-process treatment, manufacturing deficiencies, specimen geometries, and load ratios. By identifying and addressing these topics, the study aims to optimize the fatigue performance of SLM Ti-6Al-4V alloy for the successful application of load-bearing components in both HCF and VHCF regimes, maximizing the potential of this advanced manufacturing technique.