Frequency-Dependent Fatigue Properties of Additively Manufactured PLA.

ABSTRACT

Vibration-fatigue failure occurs when a structure is dynamically excited within its natural frequency range. Unlike metals, which have constant fatigue parameters, polymers can exhibit frequency-dependent fatigue parameters, significantly affecting the vibration resilience of 3D-printed polymer structures. This manuscript presents a study utilizing a novel vibration-fatigue testing methodology to characterize the frequency dependence of polymer material fatigue parameters under constant temperature conditions. In this investigation, 3D-printed PLA samples with frequency-tunable geometry were experimentally tested on an electro-dynamical shaker with a random vibration profile. Using the validated numerical models, the estimation of vibration-fatigue life was obtained and compared to the experimental results. Performing the numerical minimization of estimated and actual fatigue lives, the frequency-dependent fatigue parameters were assessed. In particular, the results indicate that the tested samples exhibit varying fatigue parameters within the loading frequency range of 250-750 Hz. Specifically, as the loading frequency increases, the fatigue exponent increases and fatigue strength decreases. These findings confirm the frequency dependence of fatigue parameters for 3D-printed polymer structures, underscoring the necessity of experimental characterization to reliably estimate the vibration-fatigue life of 3D-printed polymer structures. The utilization of the introduced approach therefore enhances the vibration resilience of the 3D-printed polymer mechanical component.