Evaluation of Mix-Design Parameters Based on Basic Constitutive-Relationships for 3DCP Printing (2024-07)¶

Six printing mixtures with variations in cement:sand ratios (in mass) were analyzed, keeping the water/dry material ratio constant, evaluating their printability, considering visual aspects, pumpability and filament integrity. The mixtures were subjected to mini-slump tests, spread on a consistency table, squeeze-flow, and deformation under load of the printed filaments at printing intervals of 0 min, 15 min and 30 min, and then the proportions of the compatible mixtures were determined with the print. The properties in the hardened state, resistance to bending and compression, adhesion between layers, specific mass and voids index were determined for specimens extracted from printed parts. It was possible to observe that for the printing system used there is an ideal range for these constitutive relationships, and that the mixtures, even with different viscosities, measured according to the squeeze flow, can be printable, provided they meet the ideal ranges for the determined relationships. Regarding the interface of the printed layers, these are critical points of fragility, due to factors such as the formation of regions with voids and loss of surface moisture, which favors the reduction of the mechanical performance of the parts, with the increase in the deposition time.