Selective laser melting (SLM) of Ti-6Al-4V has significant potential in the aerospace and biotechnology industries. SLM employs a focused laser beam to melt successive layers of metallic powder into complex components. This process can result in the generation of high thermally-induced residual stresses. These residual stresses, together with micro-flaws/ pores from the inherent fabrication process, may lead to premature fatigue crack initiation and propagation at relatively low cyclic stresses. The hole-drilling strain gauge method was used to evaluate residual stresses within SLM Ti-6Al-4V specimens, with the intention of understanding the associated mechanisms for the successful application of SLM Ti-6Al-4V in industry. OPSOMMING'Selective laser melting' (SLM) van Ti-6Al-4V het aansienlike potentiaal in die lugvaart en biotegnologiese bedrywe. SLM maak gebruik van 'n gekonsentreerde laser straal om agtereenvolgende lae metaal poeier te smelt en sodoende intrieke metal komponente te vorm. Gedurende SLM kan hoë resterende spanning veroorsaak word as gevolg van hoë temperature. Hierdie spanning, asook mikrodefekte wat gedurende die vormingsproses ontstaan, mag lei tot voortydige materiaalverswakking deur spleet vorming en verspreiding gedurende betreklik lae sikliese spannings. Resterende spanning in Ti-6Al-4V eksemplare is bereken deur 'n boor-versonke rekstrokie metode om sodoende die meganismes verantwoordelik vir die suksessvolle toepassing van SLM in die Ti-6Al-4V bedryf te bepaal.