Fatigue life analysis of functionally graded aluminium lattice structures produced by laser powder bed fusion

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has significantly increased the potential of metal lattice structures (MLS) during the past 10 years. For structural applications, the first steps are being made to investigate the use of AM-MLS for weight reduction and improve and tune mechanical characteristics such as stiffness, energy absorption, impact resistance, damping, or fatigue performance. The complex relationships between lattice design, manufacturing process, parent material, operational loading, and mechanical behavior of such lattice structures are however not yet well understood. This research project aims at addressing this by unraveling the fundamental features that influence the mechanical fatigue behavior of MLS in high-strength aluminum produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). The work will specifically focus on research enabling the design, manufacturing, and testing of functionally graded lattice structures that can easily be integrated into solid structural components. The results of this work should facilitate the use of lightweight yet robust structural components with integrated lattice structures and reliable and predictable quasi-static and fatigue properties under various load conditions.