Issue 77

T. Hachimi et alii, Fracture and Structural Integrity, 77 (2026) 173-206; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.77.11

volumetric perspective that aligns with DIC’s surface-level strain mapping. Furthermore, Dede et al. [23] established that preparation design in resin-based overlay restorations significantly impacts fit accuracy, requiring precise metrological verification during the digital design phase. Tribological performance and environmental degradation The long-term service life of AM polymers is heavily dictated by surface durability and environmental resilience under operational stressors. Fidan et al. [32] combined ANOVA and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze sliding wear in ABS, PLA, and HIPS, revealing that thinner layer heights enhance wear resistance through increased surface homogeneity, with ABS exhibiting superior abrasion performance. Environmental exposure drastically alters these baseline properties; Hozdi ć and Hozdi ć [48] used DIC to monitor mineral engine oil coupling on PLA and PLA+CF composites, demonstrating that lubricant exposure acts as a potent plasticizer (increasing elongation by 76%) while simultaneously degrading interfacial weld quality and stiffness. Moisture ingress presents similar challenges: Gong et al. [40] confirmed that filament moisture absorption in Nylon directly correlates with reduced mechanical performance and surface degradation, while Hou and Panesar [47] quantified how hygroscopic expansion in carbon fiber-reinforced polyamides compromises dimensional stability over time. These findings establish environmental resilience as a primary design constraint for components intended for outdoor or semi-lubricated service environments.

Application / Material Focus Sustainability & Recycling

Integrated Methodology

Primary Findings & Insights

Strategic Impact for AM Technology

Ref

Recycled/virgin PLA blends evaluated; DIC mapped strain distributions in filaments. Identified weak adhesion at MM3DP boundaries as the dominant failure driver. Thinner layers improve wear resistance; ABS possesses superior abrasion resistance. Lubricants act as plasticizers (76% elongation gain); micro-voids drive damage. 3D-printed PLA structures successfully reinforced concrete elements locally. Quantified the critical interface strength of 3D printed resins for restorations. Internal displacement fields coupled to the toolpath (+45/ − 45 raster angles).

Validates upcycling viability; DIC identifies defects induced by recycling cycles. Essential for predicting failure in customizable, heterogeneous structures. Informs parameter selection for components in sliding-contact applications. Crucial for designing AM parts for semi-lubricated or chemically harsh environments. Provides sustainable, non metallic alternatives for civil engineering projects. Standardizes certification requirements for additively manufactured medical implants. Moves characterization from surface-level estimation to true 3D «as-built» validation.

DIC & Single Screw Extrusion

[8,12]

Multi-material Interfaces

DIC & Shear Testing

[68,78]

Tribological Behavior

SEM, ANOVA & Wear Volume

[32]

Environmental Exposure

DIC & Mineral Oil Exposure

[40,48]

Structural Reinforcement

DIC & Concrete Elements

[21,75]

Biomedical Restoration

Meta-analysis & Bond Strength

[54,70]

Internal 3D Strain

DVC & Volumetric CT

[17,41]

Table 9: Sustainable Blends, Multi-material Interfaces, and Specialized Characterization.

Specialized case studies and multi-scale visualization The application of DIC continues to expand into specialized civil engineering and nanoscale characterization domains. Csótár et al. [21] validated the use of 3D-printed PLA reinforcement structures in concrete elements, utilizing DIC to accurately capture crack arrest and load redistribution in sustainable non-metallic reinforcement. Németh et al. [75] extended this to railway sleepers, employing the GOM ARAMIS system to demonstrate how plastic fiber reinforcement significantly enhances crack resistance under cyclic bending loads. To bridge surface observations with internal phenomena, Bussey et al. [17] utilized X-ray nano-CT to visualize phase separation and porosity at 50 nm resolution, informing larger-scale DIC

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