Failure assessment of crack propagation in as-built LPBF 17–4PH stainless steel under rolling contact fatigue

Key Points

• Crack propagation was notably influenced by rolling contact fatigue, indicating specific mechanical vulnerabilities.
• Key metrics revealed that the failure rate increased significantly under sustained loading, demonstrating the material's limits.
• Analysis of samples created using laser powder bed fusion highlighted the mechanical properties that govern crack initiation.
• Findings suggest a need for improved monitoring in applications using stainless steel, especially in engineering contexts.