Comparative investigation on the mechanical behavior of injection molded and 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane

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