Mechanical characterization and fatigue assessment of wire and arc additively manufactured HSLA steel parts

•HSLA steel parts were manufactured by WAAM using two different heat inputs.•All parts were assessed via non-destructive and destructive testing.•The influence of the part’s height on the material’s properties was assessed.•Fatigue life results were consistent along the part’s height. Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has been attracting industrial attention due to its high productivity and flexibility. However, fatigue life data of WAAM HSLA steel is scarce. In this study, the mechanical properties and fatigue life of thin-walled HSLA steel parts fabricated by WAAM were assessed via non-destructive and destructive testing, providing a comprehensive analysis on this material’s behaviour. The manufacturing conditions have a more pronounced effect on mechanical properties than the part’s height, which seems not to influence the fatigue life of WAAM HSLA steels.