Session: 13-11-03: Friction, Fracture, and Damage III

Paper Number: 165137

Dynamic Responses of 3-D Printed Polymeric Materials Under a Wide Range of Strain Rates 

The mechanical behavior of 3D printed polymeric materials is critical for applications in additive manufacturing, soft robotics, biomedical devices, and impact-resistant structures. Understanding how these materials respond to a wide range of strain rates is essential for optimizing their design and performance. While previous studies have focused on static or low-rate mechanical properties, a comprehensive understanding of dynamic responses across multiple loading rates remains limited. This study aims to investigate the strain rate-dependent mechanical behavior of 3D printed polymers via a multi-material 3D printer (Stratasys Connex 3) by using a series of well-controlled mechanical experiments.

We perform a systematic experimental investigation on model polymeric materials fabricated using a Stratasys multi-material 3D printer. The experimental framework includes: (1) quasi-static indentation tests on 3D printed plate specimens, evaluating material deformation and failure under localized loading; (2) dynamic puncture tests on 3D printed plate specimens via a drop tower (Zwick Amsler HIT600F), characterizing energy absorption and damage mechanisms under impact; (3) dynamic compression experiments on 3D printed cubic specimens via the drop tower, assessing bulk mechanical properties at increased strain rates; (4) Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) tests on 3D printed cylindrical specimens, probing the high-strain-rate response of the material under extreme loading conditions. For dynamic puncture experiments, preliminary tests at varying energy levels were performed to determine the puncture energy—the minimum energy required to fully perforate the samples.

These experiments cover an extensive strain rate range from 10^-2 to 10³ s⁻¹, enabling a thorough analysis of rate-dependent mechanical behavior. The data provide insights into viscoelasticity, strain rate sensitivity, failure mechanisms, and energy dissipation properties of the 3D printed materials.

Preliminary results indicate that mechanical properties such as stiffness, yield strength, and energy absorption increase significantly with strain rate, demonstrating strong strain rate sensitivity. Additionally, failure modes transition from ductile deformation at low strain rates to brittle-like fracture at higher strain rates, suggesting critical design considerations for high-performance applications. Differences in material deposition, microstructural variations, and interface properties play a significant role in the observed mechanical responses.

This work contributes to advancing the understanding of 3D printed polymeric materials under extreme loading conditions, providing essential data for material modeling, structural design, and engineering applications requiring high strain rate performance. The findings will inform the development of more reliable computational models and optimize additive manufacturing processes for impact-resistant and high-performance polymeric structures. By establishing a comprehensive experimental framework, this research lays the foundation for further investigations into multi-material interfaces, dynamic failure mechanisms, and advanced material formulations in 3D printing.

Presenting Author: Yaning Li Northeastern

Presenting Author Biography: Professor Yaning Li is the Director of Mechanics, Biomimetics, and Advanced Additive Manufacturing Research Lab at Northeastern University, Boston. She currently serves in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. She obtained B. S. and M. S. degrees from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, and Ph. D degree from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2000, 2003 and 2007, respectively. She was a Postdoc Associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 2008-2012. She received NSF/CAREER award and Air Force Office of Scientific Research summer faculty fellowship. She serves as Associate Editor, ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering and is a member of ASME, APS, MRS and SES.

Authors:

Ammar Batwa Northeastern University, Boston
Mohammad Daud New York State University at Buffalo
Yunzheng Yang Northeastern University, Boston
Jongmin Shim New York State University at Buffalo
Yaning Li Northeastern