Vladimir E. Kuznetsov, Alexey N. Solonin, Azamat Tavitov, Oleg Urzhumtsev and Anna Vakulik
This paper aims to investigate how the user-controlled parameters of the fused filament fabrication three-dimensional printing process define temperature conditions on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how the user-controlled parameters of the fused filament fabrication three-dimensional printing process define temperature conditions on the boundary between layers of the part being fabricated and how these conditions influence the structure and strength of the polylactic acid part.
Design/methodology/approach
Fracture load in a three-point bending test and calculated related stress were used as a measure. The samples were printed with the long side along the z-axis, thus, in the bend tests, the maximum stress occurred orthogonally to the layers. Temperature distribution on the sample surface during printing was monitored with a thermal imager. Sample mesostructure was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the extrusion temperature, the intensity of part cooling, the printing speed and the time between printing individual layers were considered.
Findings
It is shown that the optimization of the process parameters responsible for temperature conditions makes it possible to approximate the strength of the interlayer cohesion to the bulk material strength.
Originality/value
The novelty of the study consists in the generalization of the outcomes. All the parameters varied can be expressed through two factors, namely, the temperature of the previous layer and the extrusion efficiency, determining the ratio of the amount of extruded plastic to the calculated. A regression model was proposed that describes the effect of the two factors on the printed part strength. Along with interlayer bonding strength, these two factors determine the formation of the part mesostructure (the geometry of the boundaries between individual threads).
Details
Keywords
Rashia Begum S., Vasumathi M., Vigneshwaran Karupaiah and Venkateshwaran Narayanan
Additive manufacturing of polymer composites is a transformative technology that leverages the benefits of both composite material and 3D printing to produce highly customizable…
Abstract
Purpose
Additive manufacturing of polymer composites is a transformative technology that leverages the benefits of both composite material and 3D printing to produce highly customizable, lightweight and efficient composites for a wide range of applications.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research work, glass fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) filament is used to print the specimen via fusion deposition modeling process. The process parameters such as infill densities (40%, 50% and 60%) and raster angle/orientations (0°, 45° and 90°) are varied, and the specimens for tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and wear testing are prepared as per their respective ASTM standards.
Findings
The results revealed that with an increase in infill density, the mechanical properties of glass fiber-PLA specimens increase progressively. Optimal tensile properties and flexural properties are obtained at 0° and 90° raster angle orientations and 60% infill density. Minimum wear rate is achieved at 0° raster angle orientation and it increases at 45° and 90° raster angle orientations.
Originality/value
Using SEM, the microscopic analysis of the fractured specimen was analyzed to study the interface between the fibers and matrix and it indicates the presence of good adhesion between the layers at 60% infill density and 0° print orientation.