Material Jetting Additive Manufacturing (MJAM) enables high-resolution, multi-material fabrication with precise spatial control, allowing the integration of rigid and elastomeric photopolymers within a single component. Despite these capabilities, limited understanding of adhesion and shear behavior at rigid–compliant interfaces constrains structural reliability and broader industrial adoption. This study characterizes the interfacial mechanical performance and failure mechanisms of rigid–elastomer interfaces fabricated via MJAM. Lap-shear specimens were printed on a Stratasys J35 using rigid and elastic photopolymers in two processing conditions: pre-cure deposition (simultaneous uncured deposition) and post-cure deposition (secondary deposition after full cure). Mechanical testing was performed using a Mark-10 ESM 303 frame following a modified ASTM D3163 methodology, and fracture behavior was evaluated via optical microscopy. Pre-cure specimens are expected to exhibit increased apparent shear strength and reduced delamination due to enhanced interfacial polymer interpenetration, informing improved design and processing strategies for durable multi-material components.
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate the mechanical performance of pre-cure and post-cure multi-material deposition strategies in MJAM using lap-shear testing.
Analyze rigid–compliant interfacial failure modes and correlate fracture behavior with processing conditions and interfacial morphology.
Apply interfacial characterization insights to optimize design and processing strategies for improved durability in multi-material additive manufacturing components.
