Coating photoelasticity applied to a rapid prototyping model of a hub for high performance cars

A photoelastic technique is presented that is based on a photoelastic coating applied along the surface of a model of a mechanical component made with rapid prototyping. The proposed procedure allows more flexible models to be obtained in comparison to metal parts, thus favouring the outset of a higher number of photoelastic fringes. In addition, the proposed approach permits enlarged models to be easily constructed, thus easing the photoelastic readings. The preliminary study here presented addresses a wheel hub for high performance cars, with particular regard to the stress concentrations by the fin fillets.