MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF 3D-PRINTED EXPERIMENTAL PRTS USING DIC METHOD

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the mechanical behaviour of 3D-printed Pipe Ring Specimen (PRTS) made of polymer materials, with a focus on the influence of infill density and specimen geometry on tensile performance. Two types of PRTS specimens were analysed—PRTS-T1 and PRTS-T2—manufactured using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology, with varying infill levels (60%, 90%, and 100%). An additional aim of the study is to assess the applicability and limitations of the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method in characterizing surface deformations during tensile testing of non-standard geometries. Based on the observed fracture locations and the quality of strain field data, recommendations are made regarding specimen selection for further research. Another goal is to compare the experimental results of PRTS specimens with data from the literature concerning flat tensile specimens produced with similar 3D printing parameters. The comparative analysis includes tensile strength values, strain distribution, and deformation patterns, taking into account differences in cross-sectional areas and infill structures. The paper also aims to identify the optimal combination of specimen type and infill percentage that ensures valid and reproducible results while minimizing material usage and production time. This research contributes to establishing testing procedures for non-standard specimens in additive manufacturing and provides a foundation for the further development of experimental methodologies in the field of mechanical characterization of 3D-printed polymer components.