Sunhee Lee  Hyelim Kim

Vol. 57,  No. 2, pp. 77-84, Apr.  2020
10.12772/TSE.2020.57.077

3D printed spacer fabric structure FDM 3D printer Tensile test ball rebound resistance abrasion resistance by DIN

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The aim of this study is to develop shock-absorbing materials for the knee area of wetsuits using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology. Four types of samples were prepared with 3D printing spacer fabrics using thermoplastic polyurethane filaments. The samples were named 3DSPF-2.5, 3DSPF-5.0, 3DSPF-7.5, and 3DSPF-10.0, corresponding to sample thicknesses of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mm, respectively. Tests were performed on the samples following DIN recommended guidelines to determine the tensile, ball rebound, and abrasion properties. The results of the tensile test showed that the initial modulus and load increased with sample thickness owing to the increase in the leg area and density of the spacer layer. However, 3DSPF-7.5 had the highest elongation among the samples. In addition, the samples in the cross direction (CD) exhibited improved tensile properties compared to those in the machine direction. From the results of the ball rebound test, the resilience of the samples increased according to the following sequence: 3DSPF-2.5 < 3DSPF-5.0 < 3DSPF-7.5 < 3DSPF-10.0. In the case of abrasion resistance, mass loss followed the order of 3DSPF-10.0 < 3DSPF-7.5 < 3DSPF-5.0 < 3DSPF-2.5. Therefore, it was demonstrated that 3DSPF-10.0 in CD possessed excellent strength, resilience, and abrasion-resistance properties. However, considering the ease of movement after wearing the wetsuit, 3DSPF-7.5 in CD, which exhibited the highest elongation, was confirmed to be the most suitable material for producing 3D printed spacer fabric structures for shock absorption in the knee area.