Dynamic Response of 3D-Printed Bi-Material Structure Using Drop Weight Impact Test

Abstract

Additive manufacturing has led to increasing number of applications that require complex geometries and multiple materials. This paper presented a bi-material structure (BMS) composed of a cushion matrix held by a 3D printed frame structure for an improved impact resistance. The study mainly focused on understanding the effects of structural topology and matrix material. Two matrix materials, silicone elastomer and polyurethane (PU) foam, were selected to impregnate into two different PLA frame structures. Drop weight impact test was carried out to measure the impact force and energy absorption. The results showed that the overall impact resistance was dominated by the frame, while the matrix reinforcement required proper structural interlocking mechanism and material matching. In the particular specimens of this study, PU foam led to more energy absorption and force bearing capacity of the structure than the silicone elastomer.

Topology Optimization to Fracture Resistance: A Review and Recent Developments

“…Finally, resisting to fatigue by accurately designing the geometry is also critical for engineering performances. These different features can be obtained by optimizing the structural geometry, or the microstructure of a material itself, thanks to recent progresses in 3D printing [22][23][24][25]. Globally, these different applications can be handled by Topology Optimization to fracture resistance and are of industrial and technological critical importance, for applications in aircraft, automotive or biomechanics, among many others.…”