Short answer

Incorporate micro-tensile testing as a standard quality control procedure for additively manufactured metal parts, especially for high-value production applications and hybrid designs.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: Procedia Structural Integrity (2019)
Method: Experimental Testing
Evidence: Strong effect

Small-scale tensile testing of additively manufactured (DMLS) materials, including hybrid components, is a reliable method for assessing their mechanical properties for commercial production. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Procedia Structural Integrity. Using Experimental testing, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate micro-tensile testing as a standard quality control procedure for additively manufactured metal parts, especially for high-value production applications and hybrid designs.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Micro-tensile testing validates Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) for production-ready alloys

Small-scale tensile testing of additively manufactured (DMLS) materials, including hybrid components, is a reliable method for assessing their mechanical properties for commercial production.

Procedia Structural Integrity · 2019

Key Findings

01Micro-tensile testing is a viable method for assessing the mechanical properties of DMLS materials.
02The study established baseline mechanical properties for several DMLS alloys.
03Hybrid components (DMLS on conventionally manufactured parts) can be evaluated using this method.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate micro-tensile testing as a standard quality control procedure for additively manufactured metal parts, especially for high-value production applications and hybrid designs.

How to apply

When designing or specifying metal parts for additive manufacturing, use micro-tensile testing data to confirm material suitability and consistency, particularly for critical applications or when integrating with existing components.

Project actions

01When designing a product that uses 3D printed metal, consider how you will test its strength.
02Investigate if smaller, more cost-effective testing methods like micro-tensile testing are suitable for your chosen material and application.

Method & Evidence

AimCan micro-tensile testing accurately assess the room temperature tensile properties of various Direct Metal Laser Sintered (DMLS) alloys and hybrid components for commercial production?

MethodExperimental Testing

ProcedureMicro-tensile specimens of five different DMLS alloys (IN718, CoCrMo, Maraging steel, SS316L, Ti6Al4V) and two hybrid alloys were machined from DMLS blocks. These specimens were tested in both as-printed and heat-treated conditions to determine their ultimate tensile strength.

ContextAdditive Manufacturing (DMLS) of metal components

Variables

IVMaterial type (DMLS alloys, hybrid alloys), heat treatment condition (as-printed, heat-treated)

DVUltimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation

CVSpecimen dimensions (gauge length, width, thickness), testing temperature (room temperature), testing speed

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Tests multiple DMLS alloys.
+Includes hybrid material configurations.
+Proposes a cost-effective testing methodology.

Limitations

The cost of micro-testing equipment might be a barrier for some projects. Ensuring precise machining of micro-specimens can be challenging.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by testing multiple materials and conditions. Reliability would depend on the precision of the micro-machining and testing equipment used.

Think critically

How might the scale of the test specimen influence the observed mechanical properties, and what are the implications for scaling up production?

Design Principles

"Validate material performance with scaled-down, representative testing methods to ensure production viability and quality."

This research demonstrates that even with small specimens, the mechanical integrity of DMLS alloys can be accurately evaluated. This is crucial for quality control and scaling up production, especially when integrating additively manufactured parts with conventionally manufactured ones.

What This Means for Your Design

You can test the strength of small metal parts made with 3D printing (DMLS) using tiny test samples, which is good for checking quality and making sure they can be used in real products, even when combined with parts made the old way.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the material selection and testing procedures for 3D printed components in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study by Reddy and Srinivasan (2019) validates the use of micro-tensile testing for assessing the mechanical properties of additively manufactured (DMLS) alloys, demonstrating its suitability for quality control and the development of hybrid components, which is relevant for ensuring the production viability of novel designs.

Source

Procedia Structural Integrity

Small Scale Mechanical Testing for Additively Manufactured (Direct Metal Laser Sintered) Monolithic and Hybrid Test Samples

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about micro-tensile testing validates direct metal laser sintering (dmls) for production-ready alloys?: Incorporate micro-tensile testing as a standard quality control procedure for additively manufactured metal parts, especially for high-value production applications and hybrid designs. Evidence: Procedia Structural Integrity (2019).
Why does "Micro-tensile testing validates Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) for production-ready alloys" matter for design?: This research demonstrates that even with small specimens, the mechanical integrity of DMLS alloys can be accurately evaluated. This is crucial for quality control and scaling up production, especially when integrating additively manufactured parts with conventionally manufactured ones.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate micro-tensile testing as a standard quality control procedure for additively manufactured metal parts, especially for high-value production applications and hybrid designs.
What were the main findings?: Micro-tensile testing is a viable method for assessing the mechanical properties of DMLS materials.. The study established baseline mechanical properties for several DMLS alloys.. Hybrid components (DMLS on conventionally manufactured parts) can be evaluated using this method.
What research method was used?: Experimental Testing.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Procedia Structural Integrity.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or specifying metal parts for additive manufacturing, use micro-tensile testing data to confirm material suitability and consistency, particularly for critical applications or when integrating with existing components.
What are the limitations?: Testing was conducted at room temperature only; properties at elevated or cryogenic temperatures were not assessed. The study focused on tensile properties, not other mechanical behaviors like fatigue or fracture toughness.