Influence on Fatigue Strength of Post-Process Treatments on Thin-Walled AlSi10Mg Structures Made by Additive Manufacturing

This work aims to study the fatigue behavior of thin-walled structures and the possi- ble influence of post-process treatments. Specimens with novel geometry were manufactured in AlSi10Mg with different inner diameter values using selective laser melting (SLM) technology and then treated. The different processes applied to the specimens were T6 quenching, microshot peening, and controlled roughness machining. The fracture data were analyzed to obtain the fatigue strength values at 2 × 106 cycles. The results showed that the mechanical treatments and the T6 quenching improved the fatigue strength by over 55% and over 80%, respectively. Relative density and per cent porosity were measured, and microscopic observations by electron microscope, metallographic microscope, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed. It was possible to conclude that thickness did not affect fatigue life in the studied cases.