Econ Engineering continues demonstrating its deep expertise in polymer science and advanced materials with the recent publication of a significant scientific article in Polymer Testing (IF:5.0), a prestigious polymer-focused journal featured on ScienceDirect (www.sciencedirect.com).
The scientific research, titled “Layer-level constitutive material model for representing non-linear stress-strain relationships in continuous carbon fiber-reinforced 3D-printed composites,” was authored by László Kovács, head of the R&D department of Econ Engineering, in collaboration with other contributing authors Csenge Tóth (BME PT) and Blanka Ilinyi. It is a joint research activity of Econ Engineering and the Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME).
Econ’s expertise in Polymers
This publication underscores Econ Engineering’s specialized knowledge and capabilities in polymers and composite materials. Leveraging our advanced Anisoprint A3 Composer CFC 3D printer, Econ actively engages in research and development to understand and optimize the behavior of polymer-based composites.
Our expertise extends to:
- Advanced 3D Printing of Composites: Utilizing cutting-edge technologies like continuous carbon fiber reinforcement to create high-performance composite parts.
- Material Characterization: Conducting in-depth mechanical experiments to understand the stress-strain behavior of polymers and composites under various conditions.
- Constitutive Material Modeling: Developing sophisticated computational models to accurately predict the mechanical response of these materials, crucial for design and simulation.
- Manufacturing Optimization: Investigating the impact of printing parameters and internal structures (including voids and inhomogeneities) to enhance the quality and performance of 3D-printed polymer composites.
- Simulation and Validation: Employing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other numerical methods to simulate the behavior of composite structures and validating these models with experimental data.
Key Findings of the Published Research
The research paper focuses on developing a layer-level constitutive material model to accurately represent the non-linear stress-strain relationships in continuous carbon fiber-reinforced 3D-printed polyamide matrix samples produced using Econ Engineering’s Anisoprint A3 Composer CFC printer. Key highlights of the article include:
- The presentation of a model capable of describing the stress-strain curve beyond the yield criterion.
- Demonstration of how the Hill curve for transverse behavior can be effectively rescaled to represent the shear curve.
- The finding that high void content in multidirectional composites significantly contributes to non-linearity in their mechanical behavior.
- Validation of the developed model’s applicability for thin plates through 4-point bending simulations.
Summary of the research
The authors performed different mechanical experiments with unidirectional, carbon fiber reinforced, 3D printed polyamide matrix samples using the Anisoprint A3 Composer CFC printer of Econ Engineering. Based on that, a constitutive material model was fitted to them, representing the nonlinear mechanical behavior. The authors invoked the Hill-type anisotropic plasticity model and described the nonlinear stress-strain relationship in different material orientations by the Bogetti equation. The fitted model was validated with tensile experiments done on off-axis UD samples and specimens with other layups. The authors also examined the internal printed structure, as well as the voids and inhomogeneities, and the different printing parameter setups to improve manufacturing quality. It was also proved that the derived material model has its limitations due to the fact that it is based on ideal plate theory. Thus, the applicability ranges were shown via four-point flexure of samples with different thicknesses and via the corresponding Finite Element simulations.
This significant publication in ScienceDirect’s Polymer Testing (Impact factor: 5.0) underscores Econ Engineering’s commitment to advancing the understanding and application of polymer composites in various industries. The collaborative effort with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics highlights the synergy between academic research and industrial innovation, further solidifying Econ Engineering’s position as a leader in the field.
The full article is currently freely available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142941825001084?v0ia%3Dihub
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