Additive Manufacturing of Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Composites with High Mechanical Properties From PLA Thermoplastic Resin by Fused Deposition Method


Gümrük R., Uşun A.

TICMET'20, Gaziantep, Türkiye, 5 - 07 Kasım 2020, ss.196-203

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Gaziantep
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.196-203
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this study, it is aimed to produce continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites with fused deposition modelling (FDM) method based on three-dimensional printing technology and to examine their mechanical performance. For this purpose, PLA thermoplastic polymer was used as a resin, and carbon fiber (3K) was preferred as fiber. First, continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) filaments were produced for the printing of samples with the three-dimensional printer. For that, a novel filament production line was designed, which allowed more homogeneous wetting of the fiber bundles, ensuring a better mixture of fiber-polymer matrix. Filaments with a diameter of 0.6 mm were obtained, in which the fibers had a homogeneous distribution in the resin and fiber ratio of 41% by volume was achieved. Fibers were also subjected to tensile testing, and tensile strength of 988 MPa was obtained, which is the highest tensile strength value obtained for CFRTP filaments in the literature. At the second stage, CFRTP filaments and distinctive G-code was used in a custom 3D printer to produce both tensile and three-point bending test specimens. The specimens were also investigated with scanning electron microscope images to evaluate the porosity, impregnation, and the distribution of the fiber-polymer matrix. Test results showed much higher yield strength and elastic modulus values when compared with pure specimens. This novel method shoved that better impregnation of the polymer can be enhanced to obtain better continuous fiber-reinforced composite printing, which will extend the applications of composite printing techniques.