Shock absorption of 3D-printed ABS and fabric for sports faceguard

Abstract

Sports faceguards (FG) to protect the maxillofacial area get sweaty due to bad air permeability. To solve this problem, a combination of 3D-printed perforated acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and knitted fabric with honeycomb structure (AKE) is considered as one option but it was unclear whether the combination have enough shock absorption ability or not. The aim of this study was to test the shock absorption ability of the various combination of 3D-printed materials compared with conventional FG. 3D-printed ABS sheets (100 mm square, 3 mm thick) were prepared with 5 different perforated patterns; ABS0 without hole, ABS10S with 2.52 mm round holes/10 % open area, ABS10 with 3.60 mm RHs/10 % OA, ABS20S with 2.56 mm RHs/20 % OA and ABS20 with 3.57 mm RHs/20 % OA. The hole arrangement was unified in the 45-degree staggered formation. The impact test was performed on each specimen with AKE (n=5 for each). The combination of polycaprolactone sheet without hole and polychloroprene rubber cushioning material was used as a control. The maximum loads, maximum stress and stress impressed area were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA with Dunnett's Test or Tukey HSD test ( p <0.05). On the maximum loads, maximum stress and stress impressed area, there was statistical interaction between ABS and AKE. The combination of ABS10S and AKE showed good enough shock absorption properties compatible to control. The FG made with 10% perforated ABS and honeycomb knitted fabric may establish good air permeability and enough shock-absorbing properties.