The effects of bubble defect parameters on the mechanical properties of polymer materials

Abstract As materials science continues to advance, accurately predicting and controlling the effects of microscopic defects on the macroscopic mechanical properties of materials has become a crucial research area. Traditional experimental methods currently face challenges in providing precise characterization at the microscopic scale, particularly regarding the accurate definition and quantification of geometric parameters associated with micro-bubble defects. Consequently, there is an insufficient understanding of their effects on material mechanical properties. This study integrates CT scanning and 3D printing technologies to propose a novel method capable of precisely reproducing internal defects at the microscopic scale, enabling accurate control over defect size and spatial positioning. Additionally, a symbolic regression algorithm is employed to fit the stress-strain relationship of defective materials, exploring how varying aspect ratios and angles of defects affect polymer material degradation performance. The findings indicate that as the defect angle increases, there is a significant reduction in the stress attenuation rate within the material. Furthermore, materials with larger aspect ratios demonstrate better tensile performance and slower degradation rates across all angles. This method significantly enhances precision in controlling defect geometry and improves quantitative predictive capability regarding material performance by overcoming limitations associated with traditional approaches used to systematically characterize microscopic defects’ effects.