Research Summaries

Back Effects of Environmental Factors on Additive Manufactured Materials

Fiscal Year 2019
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department NPS Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Luhrs, Claudia C.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary The use of additive manufacturing techniques to produce parts has grown exponentially in recent years; in fact, the technology has the potential to become the standard manufacturing process for many polymeric components and for selected metals/alloy parts. Multiple research groups are already addressing the challenges identified in recent years for the wide adoption of AM fabrication: from basic understanding of the process and material evolution during the layer-by-layer deposition, to complex parts design, post processing steps, certification/qualification and repair strategies. However, despite the widespread attention that AM has received, we notice a lack of information regarding how the raw materials and the 3D printed parts will age or degrade due to environmental factors. The research proposed by this IREF aims to bridge that knowledge gap, we intend to determine the effects that factors such as humidity, UV light and salt containing environments have in the composition, microstructure and properties of the most common materials used for 3D printing parts. We propose to use an accelerated weather tester to perform aging treatments at diverse exposure times. X-ray diffraction, scanning / transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques will be used to track microstructural features and elemental composition. Thermogravimetric analyses will be employed to determine mass changes due to water absorption, oxidation, loss of functional groups or other effects. Microhardness and tensile testers will be used to evaluate mechanical properties of the materials. AM fabrication routes are not only emerging as a new approach to generate parts, they are also shifting our mindset regarding procurement, distribution and supply networks. Information about how environmental conditions will affect the materials useful life and performance should be available to aid the decision making process. Deliverables: report with findings and student thesis.
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