Composite materials can be tailored for various properties, but the manufacturing process can be quite lengthy depending on the complexity of the final product. Instead, we focused our attention on the relatively new technology of additive manufacturing (3D printing) that can produce complex geometries for a limited number of samples. Due to the weak bond between successive printed layers, these objects will have weaker mechanical properties in relation to cast or sintered materials. Thus, the orientation of the printed layers can make a huge difference in the behavior of the products. In this paper, a 3D printed composite made from bronze-filled PLA is mechanically characterized in order to be used as a substitute for sintered compacted bronze products for compression loads. Thus, cylindrical samples grown with the base horizontally and vertically were subjected to compression loads to determine their stress-strain curves at room temperature as well as in the glass transition region. Due to a lack of published research in this area, this study offers an insight into the usability of bronze-filled PLA for gaskets or other objects subjected to compression loads.

Surveys from all over the automotive industry are showing an increase in the usage of aluminium year after year. Compressed air systems are part of a modern car's assembly and are constantly under load from vibrations. Because of this, the life span of the material (product) is significantly shortened. Throughout this paper we will present a series of tests and results, which shed some light on the viability of aluminium pipes in dynamic conditions. These tests were made on raw and custom shaped samples, to study the effects of form and tempering.