Abstract
In this paper, polymeric specimens are produced via the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique. Then, experimental tensile and compression tests are conducted to evaluate the main mechanical properties of elements made of PolyLacticAcid (PLA) material. A standardized characterization test method for FDM 3D printed polymers has not been developed yet. For this reason, the ASTM D695 (usually employed for polymers produced via classical methods) has been here employed for FDM 3D printed polymers after opportune modifications suggested by appropriate experimental checks. A statistical analysis is performed on the geometrical data of the specimens to evaluate the machine process employed for the 3D printing. A capability analysis is also conducted on the mechanical properties (obtained from the experimental tests) in order to calculate acceptable limits useful for possible structural analyses. The Young modulus, the proportional limit and the maximum strength here defined for PLA specimens allow to confirm the different behavior of FDM printed PLA material in tensile and compressive state. These differences and the calculated acceptable limits for the found mechanical properties must be considered when this technology will be employed for the design of small structural objects made of PLA, as in the present study, or ABS (Acrilonitrile Butadiene Stirene). From the statistical and capability analysis, the employed printing process appears as quite stable and replicable. These types of research together with other similar ones that will be conducted in the future will allow to use polymeric materials and the FDM technique to produce small structural elements and also to carry out the appropriate verifications.
Highlights
In the recent years, several researchers have been worked on additive technologies and studied the effects of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of 3D printed specimens
In [15], 3D Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printed bi-material laminates made of PLA and PLA Carbon Black (PLA CB) were investigated and the mechanical behaviour was analyzed via the Classical Lamination Theory (CLT)
The present paper proposes tensile and compression experimental tests for FDM printed specimens made of PLA in order to evaluate the main mechanical properties such as the linear Young modulus, the linear elastic limit stress and the ultimate tensile strength
Summary
Several researchers have been worked on additive technologies and studied the effects of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of 3D printed specimens. Parandoush and Lin [17] and Popescu et al [18] wrote useful review papers about the different printing methods such as Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM), StereoLithography (SL) and Extrusion and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). They underlined practical and useful features, key process parameters and limitations, common and real applications. PLA elements produced via high density 3D printing method could have an orthotropic elasto-plastic response which was characterised by a strong tension-compression asymmetry This feature was developed in [21] where the investigated material was tougher in the extrusion direction than in the transverse direction. In [23], these thermoplastic composites were classified
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