Robotization of Three-Point Bending Mechanical Tests Using PLA/TPU Blends as an Example in the 0-100% Range

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• High-throughput methods are needed for efficient polymer blend characterization.
• Automated testing systems can improve measurement precision and speed.
• Understanding PLA/TPU blend properties is crucial for material development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an automated robotic three-point bending testing system.
• To investigate the effect of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) concentration on polylactic acid (PLA) blends.
• To characterize flexural, surface, thermal, and microscopic properties of PLA/TPU blends.

Main Methods:

• Development of a robotic automated three-point bending testing system.
• Continuous operation for high-throughput measurement of flexural properties.
• Characterization using mechanical testing, water contact angle (WCA) measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and microscopy.

Main Results:

• The automated system demonstrated increased efficiency and precision in flexural property measurements.
• TPU concentration significantly influenced the strength, flexural stiffness, and surface properties (WCA) of PLA/TPU blends.
• Thermal properties (TGA, DSC) and microscopic features were also found to be dependent on TPU content.

Conclusions:

• The developed robotic system is effective for high-throughput characterization of polymer blends.
• TPU concentration is a key factor in tailoring the mechanical and thermal performance of PLA/TPU blends.
• This work provides valuable data for optimizing PLA/TPU blends for specific applications.