Publication Date

Fall 12-2-2025

Degree Level

B.S.

Program

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Ocampo, Juan

Second Advisor

Langston, Camille

Document Type

Thesis

Medium

Manuscript

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM), particularly Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), enables rapid production of complex metal components with minimal waste. Stainless Steel 316 (SS316) is widely used in engineering applications due to its corrosion resistance and mechanical reliability. This study investigates the influence of build plate location on tensile properties and residual stresses in LPBF-fabricated SS316. Twelve tensile specimens and nine unsupported bridge structures were fabricated at different build plate positions using a “machine model.” Tensile testing provided stress-strain data to evaluate peak stress, elastic modulus, and strain at break, while bridge curvature measurements quantified residual stress through warping. Results indicate that elastic modulus and ductility vary with part location, whereas residual stress-induced warping shows only minor differences across the plate. These findings demonstrate that build plate position affects mechanical performance more than deformation and highlight the importance of considering part placement to ensure consistent quality in LPBF-fabricated components.

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