Infill Structure Analysis of 17-4 PH Materials Extrusion Additive Manufacturing based on Finite Element Method
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65411/rst.2026.265687Keywords:
Digital manufacturing, Additive manufacturing, Infill structure design, Finite element methodAbstract
This study evaluates the mechanical performance of 17-4 precipitation-hardened (PH) stainless steel components fabricated via material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEAM), with a focus on the role of the infill structure. Finite element method (FEM) simulations and tensile testing were used to analyze how different infill patterns and densities affect structural integrity. The results show that increasing infill density improves mechanical strength and load distribution, reducing stress concentrations that lead to failure. A 30% infill density was identified as an effective balance between strength and material efficiency, making it suitable for high-pressure applications. However, this choice may limit weight reduction and material savings compared to lower infill densities. These findings highlight the importance of infill optimization in enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of MEAM-produced 17-4 PH components for engineering use.
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