Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing (EBAM), also known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing, is a manufacturing technique in which a desired object is formed by repetitive process of extrusion and deposition of thin layers of molten material through a nozzle in different paths in a selective manner. Availability of low cost EBAM devices plus versatility of materials that can be manufactured by EBAM lead to exponential growth of EBAM in numerous applications. Among the materials that can be used in EBAM, shape memory polymers (SMPs) are in spotlight due to their unique ability to return from a deformed state to their original shape with an external stimulus. Manufacturing of SMP objects through an EBAM process, also known as four dimensional (4D) printing, has a great potential for different applications;​ however, mechanical properties of SMP end-products manufactured by EBAM need to be thoroughly analyzed before any functional application can be developed.

This thesis investigates and reports the mechanical properties of SMP end-products manufactured by EBAM. The effects of major printing parameters (print orientation and infill percentage) on five mechanical properties, namely, elastic modulus, yield strength, maximum elongation, resilience and toughness are investigated.

Additionally, an analytical model based on Classical Laminated Plate Theory (CLPT) was used in order to predict the elastic modulus of EBAM parts. Predicted results of the model are compared with the experimental results. Due to the poor agreement between predicted and experimental data in some cases, a modified model is developed that matches the experimental results with less than 5% difference.