Waveform load analysis for fatigue in the printed PLA

Additive manufacturing is fast becoming a key process to manufacture a customized design with complex geometry and one process usually employed is based on the fused filament fabrication. Up to now this method is typically employed for rapid prototyping, it is therefore their mechanical strength is lower than the components manufactured using conventional casting process. It is well known that most failures are happened under repeated loads; therefore, a functional component mandatory needs to reach endurance strength under cyclic loads. Hence, this study set out to clarify several aspects of filament fused test specimens to determine their effect on accumulated damage to then predict component life under repeated loads. In this study is considered three waveforms such as sinusoidal, triangular and square, where it is observed that the square waveform provides the most severe loads. This study therefore makes a major contribution to research on the fatigue properties of parts manufactured using fused filament by reporting their fatigue behaviour under different fatigue load conditions. It would give a better understanding to improve the mechanical prediction of PLA, thereby it might be used to manufacture a functional component instead of only a prototype or spare part.