Fracture behavior of samples from the metal printing system

With a powerful powder bed printer, alloys made from aluminum, steel, or titanium powder can be fused at the University of Siegen. Scientists have now published initial research results on the behavior of materials from the Siegen metal printing facility.

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. The 3D printing of metal is advancing rapidly. In recent years, metal 3D printing has gained significant importance, particularly in the medical technology, automotive, and aerospace industries. The University of Siegen has a powerful powder bed printer, which, after extensive laboratory renovations, is now also available for research collaborations. The facility (3DS DMP Flex 350) was acquired through a major equipment grant by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tamara Reinicke (Product Development) and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Manns (Manufacturing Automation and Assembly).

With this printer, numerous alloys from aluminum, steel, or titanium powder can be fused into complex geometries that cannot be produced using conventional manufacturing technologies. To build trust in the application of this technology in safety-critical areas, intensive research is needed to determine the material behavior under high stress.

The first scientific research work with samples from the Siegen metal printing facility was recently published in “Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics,” one of the leading journals in the field of fracture mechanics. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the scan strategy (laser path) on the component strength. In this research, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tamara Reinicke and Dr.-Ing. Mohammad Reza Khosravani from the Chair of Product Development closely collaborated with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Engel and Dr.-Ing. Peter Frohn-Sörensen from the Chair of Forming Technology.

Dr. Khosravani explains that the fracture behavior of double-notched samples made from an aluminum alloy (AlSi10Mg) was investigated. Specimens with different geometric specifications and printing parameters were produced, and their fracture behavior and mechanical strength were thoroughly examined. Notches play a crucial role in the design of components and are often responsible for component failure. The investigation results assist designers in creating and orienting durable component features.