Print Email Facebook Twitter Additive Manufacturing of Liquid Crystal Polymers Title Additive Manufacturing of Liquid Crystal Polymers: Interlayer features: formation and impact on interlaminar shear strength Author Houriet, Caroline (TU Delft Aerospace Engineering) Contributor Rans, Calvin (mentor) Dransfeld, Clemens (graduation committee) Degree granting institution Delft University of Technology Programme Aerospace Engineering Date 2019-12-19 Abstract Recent findings have highlighted the potential of a 3D-printable high-strength Liquid Crystal Polymer, whose anisotropy can be fostered for topology optimization intents. The mesostructure of a 3D-printed liquid crystal polymer is studied: the observation of interlayer features under the form of regular notches or spiraling patterns swirls is reported on optical microscopy of cross-sections. A formation mechanism is proposed: interlayer features may be formed as a result of an offset in placement of material. Another question is raised by the observation of these crenelated shapes: by providing mechanical interlocking between layers, they are expected to enhance interlaminar shear strength of a part. Short-beam shear tests indicate that when interlayer features are tall with respect to the layer height, and oriented perpendicular to the shear loading direction, the interlaminar shear strength of the 3D-printed part is enhanced by up to 112%. Microscopic evidence further indicates the crack-arrest ability of these features. Subject liquid crystal polymeradditive manufacturingspiral3D Printinginterlaminar shearmechanical interlocking To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1104f824-a4a7-4cf6-bdae-fac9441b5b24 Part of collection Student theses Document type master thesis Rights © 2019 Caroline Houriet Files PDF CarolineHouriet_MasterThesis.pdf 60.74 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:1104f824-a4a7-4cf6-bdae-fac9441b5b24/datastream/OBJ/view