The powder bed based additive manufacturing process Laser Beam Melting (LBM) offers vast design possibilities regarding the production of structurally relevant components, and thus a high potential for lightweight constructions. The anisotropic mechanical properties, which depend on the build-up direction or the component orientation on the build plate, the complex residual stress states, the process-induced microstructural defects, and the rough “as-built” surface are essential for a corresponding design. Furthermore, these variables interact with one another as well as with the applied load.

To analyse these interactions, in this project specimens made of the austenitic CrNi steel 316L using LBM are subjected to different types of cyclic loading (tension-compression, rotational bending, torsion, tension-compression-torsion). Additionally, the local microstructure in the crack initiation sites and the resulting mechanical properties are investigated using instrumented cyclic indentation tests. Based on the results of these investigations, a concept for the design of additively manufactured components will be developed and subsequently, validated through testing on component-like structures