Dr Daniela Schob receives one of this year's Max Grünebaum Prizes

Daniela Schob defended her dissertation entitled "Experimental investigation and numerical simulation of the material and damage behavior of 3D printed polyamide 12 under quasi-static and cyclic loading" in December 2022 and received the grade "summa cum laude" for it. The topic was worked on in the research group "Mechanics of Materials" at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Energy Systems at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and supervised by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Ziegenhorn, holder of the Department of Engineering Mechanics and Machine Dynamics.

The subject of Dr.-Ing. Daniela Schob's dissertation is the experimental investigation and development of a numerical model for computer calculations on the behavior of polyamide 12 (PA12) as a construction material and for structural elements that are additively manufactured in the 3D printing process. Its linear, semi-crystalline structure enables thermoplastic processing and individual shaping. This property makes polyamide 12 attractive for versatile industrial use.

Against this background, Daniela Schob's scientific investigation addresses a cutting-edge problem related to industrial applications. Powder bed-based selective laser sintering has established itself as a process for the production of polymer components. In addition, the application of a layer-by-layer Manufacturing Engineering enables the production of highly complex geometries and the direct integration of different functionalities during the production process, which further emphasizes the importance of the work.

As yet, the material properties of additively manufactured components do not achieve the same quality as those of conventionally manufactured components due to technological limitations. Therefore, the question arises, for example, whether and under which conditions these components can be used as load-bearing structural elements. The selection of suitable simulation models for these components is also crucial. The work of Dr.-Ing. Daniela Schob addresses these issues and presents the further development of existing calculation models of conventionally manufactured materials and their application to additively manufactured polyamide 12.

The model developed by Daniela Schob maps the corresponding material and damage behavior under quasi-static and cyclic loads, taking into account the inhomogeneous microstructure. These investigations are supplemented by microscopic analyses, which make it possible to gain insights into the material structure. In addition to the high topicality of the research topic of this doctoral thesis, the results are in particular relevant for practical applications in the manufacturing industry.

Studies and professional career

Dr.-Ing. Daniela Schob

Since 2015
Research Assistant at the Chair of Engineering Mechanics and Machine Dynamics, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg

2018 - 2022
Doctoral studies: experimental investigation and numerical simulation of material and damage behavior of 3D printed polyamide 12 under quasi-static and cyclic loading

2013 - 2015
Master of Engineering, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg

2009 - 2013
Bachelor of Engineering, Lausitz University of Applied Sciences

2005 - 2008
Apprenticeship as industrial mechanic, Vattenfall Europe Mining AG