Experimental Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed ABS and Polycarbonate Parts
Purpose This paper aims to present the methodology and results of the experimental characterization of three dimensional (3D) printed ABS and polycarbonate (PC) parts utilizing digital image correlation (DIC) Design/methodology/approach Tensile and shear characterization of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) 3D printed parts was performed to determine the extent of anisotropy present in 3D printed materials. Specimens were printed with varying raster +45/ 45] +30/ 60] +15/ 75] and [0/90] and build orientations (flat, on edge, and up right) to determine the directional properties of the materials. Dogbone tensile and Isopescu shear specimens were printed and loaded in a universal testing machine utilizing 2D digital image correlation (DIC) to measure strain. The Poisson's ratio, Young's modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength, strain at failure, breaking strength, and strain energy density were gathered for each tensile orientation combination. Shear modulus, yield strength, and ultimate strength values were collected for each shear combination. Findings Results indicated that raster and build orientation had a negligible effect on the Young's modulus or Poisson's ratio in ABS tensile specimens. Shear modulus and shear yield strength varied by up to 33% in ABS specimens signifying that tensile properties are not indicative of shear properties. Raster orientation in the flat build samples reveal anisotropic behavior in PC specimens as the moduli and strengths varied by up to 20% Similar variations were also observed in shear for PC. Changing the build orientation of PC specimens appeared to reveal a similar magnitude of variation in material properties. Originality/value This article tests tensile and shear specimens utilizing DIC which has not been employed previously with 3D printed specimens. The extensive shear testing conducted in this paper has not been previously attempted and the results indicate the need for shear testing in order to fully understand the 3D printed material behavior.