Overview
The purpose of this project is to determine mechanical properties of polymer components printed with the open source RepRap Mendel 3-D printer. Standard test methods are to be used to gather accurate and acceptable test data. The results of the mechanical testing will be used for engineering analysis of parts designed to be created with the RepRap.
The results are published here: B.M. Tymrak, M. Kreiger, J. M. Pearce, Mechanical properties of components fabricated with open-source 3-D printers under realistic environmental conditions, Materials & Design, 58, pp. 242-246 (2014). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.02.038. [open access soon]
Detailed coverage here: Mechanical Properties of Components Fabricated with Open-Source 3-D Printers Under Realistic Environmental Conditions
Testing Standards
ASTM D638-10 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
Test Specimen
ASTM Type I specimen - STL file revised with starting point outside of specimen STL file
Printer settings to test
All g-code will be generated using Slic3r software from http://slic3r.org/
Slic3r Setting | |
---|---|
Layer Height | 0.4mm, 0.3mm, 0.2mm |
Fill Density | 1.0 |
Fill Angle | 0, 45 |
Fill Pattern | Rectilinear |
Solid Fill Pattern | Rectilinear |
Test Equipment
- MTS Test System in M&M 413
- MTS Testworks Software on test machine computer
- Epsilon Technology 3542-0200-050-ST Extensometer
Specimen to Test
Naming Protocol
Layer Height-Orientation-Fill-Print#-Source
ie. (3-90-100-1 MTU) for 0.3 LH, 90 deg Fill Orientation, 100% Fill, Print #1, at MTU
Base Testing
- 3 layer heights - .2, .3, .4; orientations 45, 90; 12 testing conditions; 10X each; 120 total tests.....
PLA
- 0.4mm 90 deg (10 printed) 45 deg (10 printed)
- 0.3mm 90 deg (10 printed) 45 deg (10 printed)
- 0.2mm 90 deg (10 printed) 45 deg (10 printed)
ABS
- 0.4mm 90 deg (10 printed) 45 deg (0 printed)
- 0.3mm 90 deg (0 printed) 45 deg (0 printed)
- 0.2mm 90 deg (0 printed) 45 deg (0 printed)
See Also
- Mechanical testing of 3D printed metal parts
- For electrical testing and for thermal conductivity :disc 2.5 inches in diameter that is 3.2 mm thick. 5X