On the factors influencing the elastoplastic cyclic response and low cycle fatigue failure of AISI 316L steel produced by laser-powder bed fusion

The growing interest in additively manufactured metals for structural purposes renders their mechanical characterisation of foremost importance. In that context, low cycle fatigue (LCF) properties are lacking, especially for the AISI 316L stainless steel which is the material studied in this work alongside its elastoplastic response. Corroborating fractography analysis unveils premature failures ascribed to the presence of lack-of-fusion defects. A comparison with literature data revealed a generally good agreement in terms of fatigue, while contrasting results emerged for the cyclic response. The study comprehensively outlines critical factors influencing the LCF of the material and provides insights for future improvements.