3D printed two-dimensional periodic structures with tailored in-plane dynamic responses and fracture behaviors

High-performance biological structural materials such as bone and spider silk have evolved soft and stiff components to optimize the load transfer path. This inspired many researchers to achieve engineering composites with significantly improved properties. In this paper, we designed a class of 2D elastomer filled composites with periodic units. The designs of these composites were realized by 3D printing of a soft elastomer and a stiff plastic. The plastic constructed a honeycomb-like mesh, in which the soft elastomer formed isolated inclusions. Variation of the mesh geometries, the elastomer content, and the constituent material properties could tune the in-plane dynamic responses and fracture behaviors. Dynamic mechanical analysis measurements showed two tanδ peaks, corresponding to the elastomer and the plastic. By changing the geometry, a very wide range of storage modulus values (about three orders of magnitudes) could be achieved at room temperature. The fracture strain of the composites was found to increase with the elastomer content, and an obvious brittle-ductile transition was observed. Tough samples showed several stress plateaus and a trumpet-shaped crack profile. Increasing the vertex angles of the rhombus filler geometry was found to result in a brittle-ductile transition. In both experiments and simulations, a forward-backward crack propagation mode was observed, indicating that soft elastomer inclusions stabilize the crack propagation. Compared to staggered composites with stiff inclusions, the current design with soft inclusions showed higher modulus, tensile strength and toughness.