Research Information System
TICMET'20, Gaziantep, Turkey, 5 - 07 November 2020, pp.196-203
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.