Microstructural characterization of SLS-PA12 specimens under dynamic tension/compression excitation

This paper describes the effect of dynamic tension/compression loading on selective laser sintered components in polyamide. To gain more insight in the fatigue phenomena, both thermal and microstructural studies were performed on the fracture surfaces of the test specimens. The presented micrographs, DSC curves, hysteresis loops and S/N-line facilitate an improved understanding of the fatigue properties of selective laser sintered materials, polyamide in particular. The results show that crack initiation starts from inclusions in the material caused by unfused powder particles. The inclusions give rise to the formation of semi-spherical depressions with raised edges. Ductile fatigue striations were noted on the sides of these depressions indicating the irreversible plastic deformation dominated by shear stress, which is typical for fatigue failure. Consequently, microstructural analysis indicates that the material density is a crucial factor influencing the fatigue life of SLS-PA12 components. The lower the density, the more unfused powder particles and the higher the chance of crack initiation.