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3D printing opens up new possibilities for the production of polymeric structures that would not be possible with injection molding. However, it is known that the manufacturing method might have an impact on the mechanical properties of manufactured components. To this end, the mechanical behavior of test specimens made of thermoplastic polyurethane is compared for two different manufacturing methods. In particular, the SEAM technology (screw extrusion additive manufacturing) is compared to a conventional injection molding process. Uniaxial tension test specimens from both manufacturing methods are analyzed in two testing sequences (multi-hysteresis tests to analyze inelastic properties and uniaxial tension until rupture). To get as less perturbation as possible, the 3D-printed samples are printed with only one strand per layer. Moreover, a correction approach based on optical measurements is applied to determine the true cross-sectional area of the test specimens. The mechanical tests reveal that the inelastic material behavior is the same for both manufacturing methods. Instead, 3D-printed specimens show lower maximal stretch values at rupture and an increased variance in the results, which is related to the surface structure of 3D-printed specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, experimental and numerical investigations on cord–elastomer composites are presented. A finite-element model is introduced, which was developed within the framework of an industrial project. The model is able to simulate an elastomer matrix with inserted cords as load bearing elements and to predict the strains and stresses in cord and elastomer sections. The inelastic material behavior of the elastomer matrix and the yarns is described by corresponding material models suitable for large deformation processes. With the help of a specially developed demonstrator bellows, which is similar to an air spring, the simulation results are compared with experiments. For this purpose, the digital image correlation method is used to determine the deformations on the outer surface of the demonstrator bellows and to calculate the strains on and between the cords. The comparison of the results shows that the employed simulation method is very well suited to predict the strains in these cord–elastomer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the modelling and simulation of curing phenomena in adhesively bonded piezo metal composites (PMC) which consist of an adhesive layer, an integrated piezoelectric module and two surrounding metal sheet layers. In a first step, a finite strain modelling framework for the representation of polymer curing phenomena is proposed. Based on this formulation, a concretised model is deduced and applied to one specific epoxy based adhesive. Here, appropriate material functions are provided and the thermodynamic consistency is proved. Regarding the finite element implementation, a numerical scheme for time integration and a new approach for maintaining a constant initial volume at arbitrary initial conditions are provided. Finally, finite element simulations of a newly proposed manufacturing process for the production of bonded PMC structures are conducted. Thereby, a representative deep drawing process is analysed with respect to the impact of the adhesive layer on the embedded piezoelectric module. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stabilization of osteoporotic vertebrae with acrylic bone cement, called vertebroplasty, is a common procedure in modern surgery. However, the thermomechanical-chemically coupled material behaviour of curing bone cements makes the application even for experienced surgeons difficult and can lead to potential complications like heat necrosis, leaking bone cement, embolisms and postoperative load shifting. In order to reduce these potential complications, to minimize the risks and to better understand the occurring effects, the thermophysical properties of a commercial acrylic bone cement were investigated in detail using differential scanning calorimetry, volumetric dilatometry and temperature controlled rheometry. More specifically, the reaction kinetics, the specific heat, the thermal conductivity, the thermal expansion, the chemical shrinkage as well as the mechanical behaviour was studied during the reaction process of the bone cement. Furthermore, the explored material behaviour is described by a customized material model that takes into account all observed effects. With the aid of this model the inhomogeneous chemical, thermal and mechanical states that appear during the application and curing of acrylic bone cements, can be studied by finite element treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]