Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed a system that is able to model the complex physics of 3D printed composite materials and detect strain, stress and damage simply by measuring the electrical current.
The materials studied consist of a mixture of the plastic polyetherimide (PEI) and carbon nanotubes embedded in various lattice-like structures. By using selective laser melting, an additive manufacturing process, the researchers were able to produce complex geometries with high precision. The materials were then analyzed using neutron radiation to investigate the internal stresses and electrical conductivity under different loading conditions.
Professor Shanmugam Kumar, of the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering led the research, said: “Imparting piezoresistive behaviour to 3D-printed cellular materials gives them the ability to monitor their own performance without any additional hardware. That means we can imbue cheap, relatively easy-to-manufacture materials with the remarkable ability to detect when they have been harmed and measure just how damaged they are. These types of lattice materials, which we call autonomous sensing architected materials, hold significant untapped potential to create advanced applications across various fields.
The models developed now allow materials scientists to precisely predict the properties of new structures in advance. This significantly speeds up the development and optimization of self-sensing materials and reduces the need for time-consuming and costly trial-and-error methods.
Professor Kumar added, “With this study, we have developed a comprehensive system capable of modelling the performance of self-sensing, 3D-printed materials. Informed by rigorous experimentation and theory, it represents the first system of its kind that enables the modelling of 3D-printed materials across multiple scales and incorporates multiple types of physics.”
The research results, published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, mark an important step towards more sustainable and efficient production processes. By integrating self-monitoring properties into 3D-printed materials, it will be possible to produce components that continuously monitor their own performance and safety, simplifying maintenance and extending product life.
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