Research Summaries

Back Structural Analysis of 3D Printed Polymeric Materials and Associated Orientation-Dependent Mechanical Properties

Fiscal Year 2020
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department NPS Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Kwon, Young W.
Nieto, Andy
Brutzman, Donald P.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary This research aims to provide a detailed structural analysis of 3D printed polymeric components in order to inform decisions on the applicability of 3D printed components for structural load bearing applications. Experimental and computational efforts will seek to characterize properties in what are expected to be structures with orthotropic characteristics. Properties vary along the build layer thickness, the build layer direction (z-direction), as well as in-plane depending on the rastering pattern used to deposit the build. Parts will be printed using the commercially available Lulzbot Mini V2.0, which is of interest to the topic sponsor and the NAVY. Specimens for tensile and compression testing will be prepared, with the gauge axis oriented along the various orientations of interest. The experimental data will be used to validate simple computational models examining the effects of layer thickness and print head rastering patterns. If successfully validated, the models would be used to predict mechanical properties across traverse and build directions, under various printing rastering patterns and fill patterns. The generated data will be compiled into the X3D Model Exchange for Navy and Marine Makers database in order to provide structured and searchable metadata on material properties and performance of 3D printed parts. Furthermore, exploratory testing will be conducted using indentation based methods, in order to correlate data from minimally invasive techniques with unidirectional tensile testing data. Deliverables will include tensile test and compression test data along various orientations of interest, along with the finalized searchable metadata that could be uploaded into a database such as X3D. Combined this data will be used to inform COMSUBPAC of the applicability of 3D printed polymeric parts for use as permanent components in load bearing structural applications.
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