3D printed material characterization

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    Data - ASTM D638 universal materials testing tensile tests results for 3D printed Alloy 910 and Bridge nylon subjects
    (2015-11-26) Qua Hiansen, Joshua; Wang, Dingkang; Bransch, Kiah; Ratto, Matt
    Maturation of 3D printing technologies has enabled the rapid fabrication of functional devices, including prosthetic sockets. Printing a robust socket requires an understanding of specific 3D printing parameters and their effect on the mechanical properties of the socket. In this paper, the effect of varying the shell number, infill percentage and layer height of 3D printed Alloy 910 and Bridge nylon blend subjects on their maximum tensile strength, their elasticity modulus and their yield strength is determined. In Experiment #1 the mechanical properties of the printed nylon subjects were determined by a universal load-testing machine according to ASTM D638 guidelines. Experiment #2 utilized the mechanical properties determined in Experiment #1 to define the material characteristics of a prosthetic socket to perform finite element analysis. This analysis revealed the surface stress and factor of safety of the prosthetic socket across different 3D printed material profiles. Results indicate that increasing shell number is a significant predictor of maximum tensile strength, yield strength and elasticity. Infill percentage and layer height also affect these properties; however, their effects are less pronounced. Finite element data showed quantitative changes to surface-stress experienced by the sockets with different 3D printed material qualities and affected their factor of safety. This study has shown that the mechanical properties of 3D printed objects can be affected by changing specific 3D printing parameters. The ability to modulate specific mechanical qualities of 3D printed objects is an important step towards the fabrication of functional 3D printed objects such as prosthetic sockets.