Researcher(s)
- Hope Munson, Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Suresh Advani, Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
3D printing with composites is becoming an increasingly common operation that has numerous applications, such as aerospace and automotive parts, as well as professional sports equipment. While this is a useful procedure, there are some notable gaps that researchers, scientists, and engineers alike are trying to close, namely, increasing the use of thermoplastics in manufacturing. Thermoplastics are composites that are considered lightweight, durable, and strong, with a wide variety of additional beneficial manufacturing properties. However, thermoplastics come with their own set of disadvantages, including failure for layers to adhere to each other, warping, and deformation under high temperatures. This research aims to determine the ideal ratio and compaction levels of UV and Epoxy resin to create a thermoplastic that could be used with a 3D printer. Optimistically, the end goal is to create a composite strong enough to be used in crash structures for automobiles, currently made out of metals such as aluminum and steel, parts that can be expensive to make. Three resin ratios (UV0, UV25, and UV75) along with three compaction levels (kPa 0, kPa 100, and kPa 200) were tested, each ratio paired three times with each compaction level for a total of 27 composite rings made. Once manufactured, each sample was tested for interlaminar shear strength, void content, and carbon fiber volume fraction. All in all, much of the variation found in testing can be attributed to manufacturing variability rather than variability in individual samples.