Towards a Simulation-Assisted Prediction of Residual Stress-Induced Failure during Powder Bed Fusion of Metals Using a Laser Beam: Suitable Fracture Mechanics Models and Calibration Methods

Abstract

In recent years, Additive Manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a transformative technology, with the process of Powder Bed Fusion of Metals using a Laser Beam (PBF-LB/M) gaining substantial attention for its precision and versatility in fabricating metal components. A major challenge in PBF-LB/M is the failure of the component or the support structure during the production process. In order to locate a possible residual stress-induced failure prior to the fabrication of the component, a suitable failure criterion has to be identified and implemented in process simulation software. In the work leading to this paper, failure criteria based on the Rice-Tracey (RT) and Johnson-Cook (JC) fracture models were identified as potential models to reach this goal. The models were calibrated for the nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718. For the calibration process, a conventional experimental, a combined experimental and simulative, and an AM-adapted approach were applied and compared. The latter was devised to account for the particular phenomena that occur during PBF-LB/M. It was found that the JC model was able to capture the calibration data points more precisely than the RT model due to its higher number of calibration parameters. Only the JC model calibrated by the experimental and AM-adapted approach showed an increased equivalent plastic failure strain at high triaxialities, predicting a higher cracking resistance. The presented results can be integrated into a simulation tool with which the potential fracture location as well as the cracking susceptibility during the manufacturing process of PBF-LB/M parts can be predicted.