Effect of Process Parameters on Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites

Abstract

3D printing technologyhasbeenreceiving increasedattentionasanewmolding method forcarbonfiberreinforced thermoplastics(CFRTPs).Thisstudyinvestigatestheeffect ofprocess parametersonthemechanicalpropertiesof3D printedCFRTPswithinsituresinimpregnatedfiber yarn.TheCFRTPspecimenwasmanufacturedthroughfuseddepositionmolding using carbonfiber yarnconsisting of3000carbonfibermonofilamentsandpoly(lacticacid)filaments.Themechanical properties oftheCFRTP specimenwereevaluated through tensile testing.Amathematicalmodel wasdeveloped todescribetherelationshipbetweentheprocessparametersandthetensilestrength and modulus of the specimen.Based on the results, the high molding temperature print speed of about 100mm/min and low filament extrusion speed were established as the optimum process parameters for theactualmanufacturing oftheCFRTPs.