Evaluating PLA Auxetic Structures as Impact Protection
Date
2024-12
Authors
Everhardt, Adam
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Hamilton, Jakob
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Abstract
The aim of this project was to evaluate the impact protection of a variety of auxetic structures created using a consumer grade printer and filament. Auxetic structures display a negative Poisson's ratio and contract both axially and laterally when compressed (and vice versa). Nine auxetic structures and one non-auxetic honeycomb structure were designed to have the exact same overall dimensions and weight. They were printed with rectangular panels on top and bottom to create sandwich panels. The structures were tested using an Izod impact tester measuring the drop height of each test to see how badly each structure was damaged at a given height. The drop heights tested ranged from 1 in. to 12 in., with high speed videos taken of some of the impacts to add further insight into the failure mechanisms present. The results of the testing showed that the rotating squares, sinusoidal ligaments, and re-entrant arrowhead had the lowest maximum displacement, and the highest came from star arrowhead, arrowhead, and chiral. Since the scope of this project was limited to one version of each pattern, further research that varied the geometry for each pattern would be appropriate.
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