This paper presents a study on the tensile properties of Alumide and polyamide PA2200 standard samples produced by Additive manufacturing (AM) based on selective laser sintering (SLS). Because of the orthogonal trajectories of the laser beam during exposure, different orientations of the samples may lead to different mechanical properties. In order to reveal this process issue, four orientations of the samples in building envelope were investigated. For data reliability, all the other process parameters were constant for each material and every orientation. The tensile tests highlight small differences in elastic properties of the two materials, while significant differences in strength properties and energy absorption were observed. Nevertheless, Young modulus indicates high stiffness of the Alumide comparing to PA2200 samples. The stereo microscopy reveals a brittle fracture site for Alumide and a ductile fracture with longitudinal splitting zones for PA2200. From the orientation point of view, similar properties of samples oriented at 0 and 90 degrees for all investigated mechanical properties were observed. However, tensile strength was less influenced by the sample orientations.
A case study of a failed humeral shaft locking compression plate is presented, starting with a clinical case where failure occurred and an implant replacement was required. This study uses finite element method (FEM) in order to determine the failure modes for the clinical case. Four loading scenarios that simulate daily life activities were considered for determining the stress distribution in a humeral shaft locking compression plate (LCP). Referring to the simulation results, the failure analysis was performed on the explant. Using fracture surface investigation methods, stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a mixed mode failure was determined. An initial fatigue failure occurred followed by a sudden failure of the plate implant as a consequence of patient’s fall. The fracture morphology was mostly masked by galling; the fractured components were in a sliding contact. Using information from simulations, the loading was inferred and correlated with fracture site and surface features.
As additive manufacturing (AM) becomes more accessible, correlating process parameters with geometric and mechanical properties is an important topic. Because the number of process variables in AM is large, extensive studies must be conducted in order to underline every particular influence. The study focuses on two variables—part orientation in the orthogonal horizontal plane and energy density—and targets two outcomes—geometric and tensile properties of the parts. The AM process was conducted on selective laser sintering (SLS) machine EOS Formiga P100 using EOS white powder polyamide (PA2200). After finishing the sinterization process, the parts were postprocessed, measured, weighted, and mechanically tested. The geometric evaluation and mass measurements of every sample allowed us to compute the density of all parts according to the sinterization energy and orientation, and to determine the relative error of every dimension. By conducting the tensile testing, the elastic and strength properties were determined according to process variables. A linear trend regarding sample density and energy density was identified. Also, large relative dimensional errors were recorded for the lowest energy density. Mechanical properties encountered the highest value for the highest energy density at a 45° orientation angle.
Selective Laser Sintering is a flexible additive manufacturing technology that can be used for the fabrication of high-resolution parts. Alongside the shape and dimension of the parts, the mechanical properties are essential for the majority of applications. Therefore, this paper investigates dimensional accuracy and mode I fracture toughness (KIC) of Single Edge Notch Bending samples under a Three Point Bending fixture, according to the ASTM D5045-14 standard. The work focuses on the influence of two major aspects of additive manufacturing: material type (Polyamide PA2200 and Alumide) and part orientation in the building environment (orientations of 0°, 45° and 90° are considered). The rest of the controllable parameters remains constant for all samples. The results reveal a direct link between the sample densities and the dimensional accuracy with orientation. The dimensional accuracy of the samples is also material dependent. For both materials, the angular orientation leads to significant anisotropic behavior in terms of KIC. Moreover, the type of material fundamentally influences the KIC values and the fracture mode. The obtained results can be used in the development of additive manufactured parts in order to obtain predictable dimensional tolerances and fracture properties.
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