Investigation of Thermomechanical Fatigue Behavior in Nickel-Based Superalloys Processed through Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Mark Thompson

Authors

Mark Thompson Manufacturing Engineer, United States Author

Keywords:

Thermomechanical fatigue, Additive manufacturing, Nickel-based superalloys, Selective Laser Melting, Fatigue life, Crack propagation, High-temperature alloys

Abstract

Thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) is a critical concern in high-temperature components fabricated from nickel-based superalloys, especially for aerospace and power generation sectors. With the increasing adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM), understanding how these novel fabrication methods influence TMF performance has become imperative. This study investigates the TMF behavior of AM-processed nickel-based superalloys by evaluating microstructural characteristics, fatigue life, and crack propagation mechanisms under cyclic thermal-mechanical loads. Through literature synthesis and data extrapolation, the paper compares conventionally manufactured and AM-fabricated components, highlighting emerging research gaps and directions for optimization.

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