Effect of fused deposition machine parameters on tensile strength of printed carbon fiber reinforced PLA thermoplastics

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced poly lactic acid (PLA), a thermoplastic polymer is widely used for the various structural applications like manufacturing of frames and tool due to its excellent formability, durability and strength. The carbon fibre reinforced PLA specimens are 3D printed in FDM machine by selecting the process parameters. The research is focused to obtain the desired tensile strength of carbon fibre reinforced PLA thermoplastics by optimizing the various machine parameters as per the guidelines of Taguchi L9 experimental design and optimization technique. Nine set of tensile specimens are fabricated as per ASTM standard. The factors chosen for 3D printing of the specimen are infill density, print speed and layer height. The optimum tensile strength is obtained as 21.961 MPa when the process parameters infill density 80%, print speed 80 mm/sec and layer height 100µ with the maximum desirability function of 0.77. The results may be useful in selecting the working ranges for 3D printing of PLA thermoplastics for various applications.