What is Flexural Strength? Understanding Its Importance and Applications

Definition

Flexural strength, also known as bending strength or modulus of rupture, is a material property that describes the maximum stress a material can withstand when subjected to bending or flexural load before it yields or breaks. It is measured by applying a force to a specimen supported at two points and recording the stress at the moment of failure.

Explain Flexural Strength like I’m 5

Imagine you have a ruler and you try to bend it by pushing down in the middle while holding both ends. Flexural strength is like measuring how much you can push before the ruler snaps in half.

Why does this matter?

Flexural strength is crucial in additive manufacturing because it helps determine how well a 3D printed part can handle bending forces. This is especially important for parts that will experience bending or flexing in their end-use applications, such as brackets, beams, or any structural components. Knowing the flexural strength of a material helps engineers and designers choose the right material for their specific needs, ensuring the final product is both functional and durable.

Real Talk

While flexural strength is an important metric, it’s not the only factor to consider when evaluating a material’s performance. Many 3D printing materials, especially photopolymers, can have high flexural strength but may still be brittle and prone to cracking under impact. Additionally, the flexural strength of a 3D printed part can vary depending on the printing orientation and layer adhesion. So, while it’s a useful property to measure, it should be considered alongside other factors like impact resistance, tensile strength, and overall material toughness to get a complete picture of a material’s suitability for a given application.