Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Mechanical Performance of SLM-Manufactured Bolts Under Varying Torque Conditions for Aerospace Applications

Received: 26 February 2025     Accepted: 14 March 2025     Published: 31 March 2025
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Abstract

This research study examines the mechanical performance of bolts fabricated using Selective Laser Melting (SLM), a Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technique widely utilized in the aerospace and automotive industries for producing lightweight, high-performance components. To improve mechanical properties through SLM, building orientation plays a crucial role, particularly in enhancing fatigue strength. This study examines the bolts mechanical properties by using SLM optimal process parameters, including laser power of 225 W, scan speed of 500 mm/s, and hatching distance of 100 µm. This study investigates the mechanical performance of M5, M6, and M8 hexagonal bolts with a focus on tensile strength, creep resistance and effects of torque tightening on fatigue life. Tensile testing demonstrated the bolts’ high strength, achieving an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1189.32 MPa and a yield strength (YS) of 967.61 MPa at room temperature with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Fatigue testing, conducted under pre-load and torque-applied conditions, revealed that proper torque application significantly enhanced fatigue life, extending it from 21,000–25,000 cycles in pre-load conditions to 135,000 cycles under a torque of 12 N-mm. Additionally, creep testing confirmed the material’s long-term stability, showing no deformation or failure when subjected to a sustained load of 660 MPa over a 24-hour period. These results emphasize the critical role of torque tightening in improving fatigue performance and highlight the reliability of the bolts under prolonged stress, making them suitable for high-performance applications in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Published in International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications (Volume 13, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13
Page(s) 73-85
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Additive Manufacturing (AM), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Hexagonal Bolt, Torque Tightening, Mechanical Properties

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Nirish, M., Prasad, K. R., Lavanya, K. (2025). Mechanical Performance of SLM-Manufactured Bolts Under Varying Torque Conditions for Aerospace Applications. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications, 13(2), 73-85. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13

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    ACS Style

    Nirish, M.; Prasad, K. R.; Lavanya, K. Mechanical Performance of SLM-Manufactured Bolts Under Varying Torque Conditions for Aerospace Applications. Int. J. Mech. Eng. Appl. 2025, 13(2), 73-85. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13

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    AMA Style

    Nirish M, Prasad KR, Lavanya K. Mechanical Performance of SLM-Manufactured Bolts Under Varying Torque Conditions for Aerospace Applications. Int J Mech Eng Appl. 2025;13(2):73-85. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13,
      author = {Mudda Nirish and Koganti Rajendra Prasad and Koganti Lavanya},
      title = {Mechanical Performance of SLM-Manufactured Bolts Under Varying Torque Conditions for Aerospace Applications
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications},
      volume = {13},
      number = {2},
      pages = {73-85},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmea.20251302.13},
      abstract = {This research study examines the mechanical performance of bolts fabricated using Selective Laser Melting (SLM), a Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technique widely utilized in the aerospace and automotive industries for producing lightweight, high-performance components. To improve mechanical properties through SLM, building orientation plays a crucial role, particularly in enhancing fatigue strength. This study examines the bolts mechanical properties by using SLM optimal process parameters, including laser power of 225 W, scan speed of 500 mm/s, and hatching distance of 100 µm. This study investigates the mechanical performance of M5, M6, and M8 hexagonal bolts with a focus on tensile strength, creep resistance and effects of torque tightening on fatigue life. Tensile testing demonstrated the bolts’ high strength, achieving an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1189.32 MPa and a yield strength (YS) of 967.61 MPa at room temperature with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Fatigue testing, conducted under pre-load and torque-applied conditions, revealed that proper torque application significantly enhanced fatigue life, extending it from 21,000–25,000 cycles in pre-load conditions to 135,000 cycles under a torque of 12 N-mm. Additionally, creep testing confirmed the material’s long-term stability, showing no deformation or failure when subjected to a sustained load of 660 MPa over a 24-hour period. These results emphasize the critical role of torque tightening in improving fatigue performance and highlight the reliability of the bolts under prolonged stress, making them suitable for high-performance applications in the automotive and aerospace industries.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Mechanical Performance of SLM-Manufactured Bolts Under Varying Torque Conditions for Aerospace Applications
    
    AU  - Mudda Nirish
    AU  - Koganti Rajendra Prasad
    AU  - Koganti Lavanya
    Y1  - 2025/03/31
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13
    T2  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
    JF  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
    JO  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
    SP  - 73
    EP  - 85
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-0248
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20251302.13
    AB  - This research study examines the mechanical performance of bolts fabricated using Selective Laser Melting (SLM), a Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technique widely utilized in the aerospace and automotive industries for producing lightweight, high-performance components. To improve mechanical properties through SLM, building orientation plays a crucial role, particularly in enhancing fatigue strength. This study examines the bolts mechanical properties by using SLM optimal process parameters, including laser power of 225 W, scan speed of 500 mm/s, and hatching distance of 100 µm. This study investigates the mechanical performance of M5, M6, and M8 hexagonal bolts with a focus on tensile strength, creep resistance and effects of torque tightening on fatigue life. Tensile testing demonstrated the bolts’ high strength, achieving an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1189.32 MPa and a yield strength (YS) of 967.61 MPa at room temperature with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Fatigue testing, conducted under pre-load and torque-applied conditions, revealed that proper torque application significantly enhanced fatigue life, extending it from 21,000–25,000 cycles in pre-load conditions to 135,000 cycles under a torque of 12 N-mm. Additionally, creep testing confirmed the material’s long-term stability, showing no deformation or failure when subjected to a sustained load of 660 MPa over a 24-hour period. These results emphasize the critical role of torque tightening in improving fatigue performance and highlight the reliability of the bolts under prolonged stress, making them suitable for high-performance applications in the automotive and aerospace industries.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • R&D Center, MIC Labs, Measure India Corporation Private Limited (MICPL), Sri Nagar, Rampally, Keesara (M), Hyderabad, India

  • R&D Center, MIC Labs, Measure India Corporation Private Limited (MICPL), Sri Nagar, Rampally, Keesara (M), Hyderabad, India

  • R&D Center, MIC Labs, Measure India Corporation Private Limited (MICPL), Sri Nagar, Rampally, Keesara (M), Hyderabad, India

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