Effects of common print parameters on the mechanical properties of the produced parts

Abstract

3D printers are employed by most major industries as a rapid prototyping tool, used to test fit and form before going into full production. In order to make the leap from prototyping tool to manufacturing technology, the effect of the FDM process on the produced parts must be more closely understood. To establish this relationship, the effects of orientation, temperature, and material on the produced FDM prints were explored. In order to test the effects of material, orientation and temperature, coupons were printed using a modified version of the ASTM D3039 standard geometry. ABSi, Nylon, and PC specimens were printed using layer orientations from 0° to 90°. PLA and ABS specimens were printed using extrusion temperatures from 210°C to 250°C. Tensile tests were performed on these specimen to determine the modulus of elasticity, yield stress, and yield strain. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was used on one coupon from each parameter value to better understand the deformation of the coupon as the test occurred. The orientation data showed decreasing mechanical properties as the angle increased from 0° to 90°. The temperature coupon data indicates that there is an optimal temperature at which FDM parts should be printed at to achieve the maximum mechanical properties. Using these preliminary results further studies can be performed, allowing for the 3D printing process to become a more accurate manufacturing technique.