Fatigue Testing of 3D-Printed Compliant Joints

Abstract

As interest in additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, increases, technological improvements are making printing methods quicker and more cost efficient. Inventors and innovators are able to print low-cost and complex geometries rapidly as a result of the manufacturing time being reduced from weeks to hours. With the large amount of polymeric materials available, the design and manufacturing of products are continuously changing as more industries adopt the use of additive manufacturing. One up-and-coming application of additive manufacturing is monolithic compliant joints, which use the elastic deformation of the flexural arms as a mechanism for to complete the desired function. With additive manufacturing becoming more prevalent, it is essential that parts are able to withstand the mechanical and environmental stresses that occur during use. Understanding a material’s response to cyclic loading and unloading is important, as the majority of parts will experience fatigue behavior. Fatigue is a progressive and permanent structural change that could result in a crack or complete rupture, making a part unable to perform its desired task. Since additive manufacturing of compliant joints is a new field, it is critical to understand fatigue behavior in 3D-printed parts so that fatigue behavior can be predicted and prevented.