New possibilities for in situ CT analysis of additive manufactured samples

Industrial Computed Tomography (CT) is a broadly used measurement method allowing for quality control of objects produced using additive manufacturing methods. The combination of tensile tests and simultaneous 3D imaging of the behavior of an object under a particular force (i.e. in situ examination – during the process) significantly broadens the possibilities of analyzing objects with a complex internal geometry. The purpose of this paper is to present the author’s project of a mini testing machine, to verify its functioning with regards to a static testing machine, and to present the initial in situ examination results for polymer samples.

Void Content and its Influence on the Fracture Behaviour of Long Fibre Reinforced Injection Molded Polypropylene

The influence of void content on the fracture performance of discontinuous long glass fibre reinforced injection molded polypropylene was studied. Compact tension specimens were machined from simple plate-tools and were loaded in a static testing machine in a laboratory environment. From the resulting load-displacement curves the fracture toughness was determined on the basis of the linear elastic fracture mechanics. It was found that higher void content causes a decrease in the fracture toughness.