Effect of heat treatment on fatigue behavior of as-built notched Co-Cr-Mo parts produced by Selective Laser Melting

In this paper Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) specimens produced by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) for biomedical field were studied. In particular, fatigue tests were carried out comparing as-built condition with Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and a heat treatment under vacuum condition. The influence on microstructure and fatigue properties was investigated on plain specimens and with a V-notched geometry. Both vacuum heat treatment and HIP had effects on the microstructure and internal defects, which resulted in an enhancement of quasi-static and fatigue properties. Lastly, notch sensitivity and applicability of ASED failure criterion for fatigue life prediction notched specimens were evaluated.