Interlayer Bond Strength Testing in 3D-Printed Mineral Materials for Construction Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Civil Engineering

Background:

• Lack of standardized testing protocols for 3D-printed materials hinders reliable property evaluation.
• Interlayer bond strength is critical for the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of additive manufactured construction elements.
• Developing robust methodologies for assessing material properties in 3D printing is essential for advancing the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a research methodology for evaluating interlayer bond strength in 3D-printed mineral materials.
• To address the absence of standardized testing procedures for 3D-printed construction materials.
• To identify the most effective testing method for assessing layer adhesion in these materials.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify potential testing methods.
• Three established test methods were selected for comparative analysis: direct tensile, splitting, and shear tests.
• The study involved comparing the testing procedures, obtained results, and observed sample failure modes for each method.

Main Results:

• The splitting test demonstrated the lowest scatter in results, indicating higher reliability for assessing layer adhesion.
• The splitting test was identified as the most effective method due to its ease of execution and consistent outcomes.
• Direct tensile and shear tests also provided valuable data but exhibited greater variability compared to the splitting test.

Conclusions:

• The splitting test is recommended as the most effective and reliable method for evaluating interlayer bond strength in 3D-printed mineral materials.
• Standardized testing guidelines are necessary to ensure consistent and accurate assessment of 3D-printed material properties.
• This research contributes to the development of reliable methods for qualifying additive manufactured construction elements.