12. Influence of an Extreme Environment on the Tensile Mechanical Properties of a 3D Printed Thermoplastic Polymer

Inspired by the concept of deploying 3D printers into the field to produce parts on demand, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the environment on a 3D printing apparatus and its ability to produce consistent operative prints. The inelastic deformation behavior of Poly-lactic Acid, a biodegradable thermoplastic, 3D printed in extreme environments was investigated. The experimental program was specifically designed to explore the influence of ambient temperature (25–40 °C) during the printing process on the mechanical performance of the printed material. In order to understand the effects of the printing environment versus general exposure to extreme environments, samples were also printed at 25 °C and subsequently aged in an oven at temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 °C before mechanical testing. All mechanical testing was performed in standard laboratory temperature and humidity. The influence of the print temperature and oven aging on the elastic modulus, yield stress, strain energy, and tensile stress are all compared. In addition, the capacity to accumulate strain before failure is compared.