3D printed elastomeric polyurethane: Viscoelastic experimental characterisations and constitutive modelling with nonlinear viscosity functions

Mokarram Hossaina, Rukshan Navaratne, Djordje Perić

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    9 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology creates ample opportunities for making 3D printed soft polymers for a wide range of grades and properties. In DLS, a 3D printer uses a continuous building technique in which the curing process is activated by an ultra-violet (UV) light. In this contribution, EUP40, a recently invented commercially available elastomeric polyurethane (EPU) printed by the DLS technology, is experimentally characterized. For characterizing the mechanical properties, an extensive viscoelastic experimental study on the digitally printed EPU taking the strain rate-dependence are conducted. The study reveals a significant time-dependency on its mechanical responses. Moreover, the material demonstrates noticeable nonlinear viscosities that depend on strain and strain rates. Based on the experimental findings for the printed elastomer, a large strain viscoelastic model is devised where evolution laws are enhanced by strain and strain rate-dependent nonlinear viscosities. Following identifications of relevant material parameters, we validate the model with the experimental data that show its good predictability. Such an extensive experimental study along with a constitutive model will help in designing and simulating more complex cellular and structured metamaterials using 3D printed elastomeric polyurethanes.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number103546
    JournalInternational Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics
    Volume126
    Early online date8 Jul 2020
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

    Keywords

    • Digital Light Synthesis (DLS)
    • Elastomeric Polyurethane (EPU)
    • 3D printing
    • Additive

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of '3D printed elastomeric polyurethane: Viscoelastic experimental characterisations and constitutive modelling with nonlinear viscosity functions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this