Development of 3D printing short carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composite filaments

Abstract

In this study, the 3D printing short carbon fiber (SCF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composite filament was developed. The micro-size SCFs were mixed with PP granules and extruded in a twin screw extruder to develop SCF/PP composite granules. The composite granules were extruded in a single screw extruder and then wound to develop SCF/PP filaments. SCF/PP filaments were produced with varying content of SCF ranging from 4 to 22 wt%. The developed composite filaments were injected by a 3D printer to produce testing samples. 3D printed SCF/PP composites with different SCF contents were investigated by analyzing their mechanical, physical, and morphological properties. The SCF/PP composites developed have shown great enhancement in their mechanical properties (tensile strength and impact toughness). The tensile strength of the 22%SCF/PP composite increased by 150% when compared to the neat PP, while the impact energy of the 22%SCF/PP composite was enhanced by 260% of the neat PP. However, the strain at break values decreased linearly in composites up to 11 wt% SCF content followed by a sudden drop in strain values in composite with 14 wt% SCF.