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In this paper, polymeric specimens are produced via the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique. Then, experimental tensile and compression tests are conducted to evaluate the main mechanical properties of elements made of PolyLacticAcid (PLA) material. A standardized characterization test method for FDM 3D printed polymers has not been developed yet. For this reason, the ASTM D695 (usually employed for polymers produced via classical methods) has been here employed for FDM 3D printed polymers after opportune modifications suggested by appropriate experimental checks. A statistical analysis is performed on the geometrical data of the specimens to evaluate the machine process employed for the 3D printing. A capability analysis is also conducted on the mechanical properties (obtained from the experimental tests) in order to calculate acceptable limits useful for possible structural analyses. The Young modulus, the proportional limit and the maximum strength here defined for PLA specimens allow to confirm the different behavior of FDM printed PLA material in tensile and compressive state. These differences and the calculated acceptable limits for the found mechanical properties must be considered when this technology will be employed for the design of small structural objects made of PLA, as in the present study, or ABS (Acrilonitrile Butadiene Stirene). From the statistical and capability analysis, the employed printing process appears as quite stable and replicable. These types of research together with other similar ones that will be conducted in the future will allow to use polymeric materials and the FDM technique to produce small structural elements and also to carry out the appropriate verifications.
Brischetto et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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