A multiscale study of heat treatment effects on the interlayer mechanical properties of 3D printed continuous carbon fiber‐reinforced composites

Abstract

AbstractThe main goal of this study was to investigate the effect of heat treatment on the microstructural and interlayer mechanical properties of 3D printed continuous carbon fiber‐reinforced composites (CCFRCs). The influence of raster orientations on the interlayer properties of composites was systematically studied by the floating roller peel test. The multiscale morphological investigation was applied to analyze the influence of heat treatment on the interlayer mechanical properties and change of pores microstructure for composites. The results showed that heat treatment improved the interlayer mechanical properties of CCFRCs. During heat treatment, the pores merged, migrated, and deformed as the softening and collapse of the matrix. The average peeling strength after heat treatment for specimens increased by 10.17%–51.30%. Besides, the increase in matrix fluidity and the change of pore shape in CCFRCs were more significant than that of matrix specimens after heat treatment, since more thermal channels in CCFRCs.Highlights The interlayer mechanical properties of 3D printed continuous carbon fiber‐reinforced composites (CCFRCs) were improved by heat treatment. The pores of composites merged, migrated, and deformed as the softening and collapse of the matrix. The addition of continuous carbon fiber (CCF) made the composites have more thermal channels than those with matrix specimens.