Simulation of the residual stress field and evaluation of tensile strength in thin-walled components fabricated by metal 3D printing

Abstract

Residual stresses significantly influence the mechanical performance and dimensional accuracy of metal components fabricated via additive manufacturing. This study investigates the residual stress fields and tensile properties of thin-walled specimens produced by metal 3D printing using stainless steel SS316L. Residual stresses were characterized through both numerical simulations and experimental measurements employing the hole-drilling method. Tensile testing was conducted to evaluate the effect of residual stresses on mechanical strength. Results indicate a strong correlation between the residual stress distribution and tensile behavior of SS316L specimens. The difference between the residual stress simulation and the measured experiment is 10%. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing additive manufacturing parameters to enhance the structural integrity and reliability of metal 3D printed parts.