In-nozzle impregnation of continuous textile flax fiber/polyamide 6 composite during FFF process

Abstract

A simple and customized method is adapted to print the continuous bleached textile flax yarn/polyamide 6 composites by Fused Filament Fabrication. It is allowed to print successfully composite in one shot thanks to in-situ fiber impregnation inside the print head. Three filling patterns (0°, 90° and ± 45°) strategies relative to the tensile loading were adopted to investigate Young Modulus and tensile strength. The best mechanical properties were obtained for the unidirectional composite, where void content and inter-layer delamination decreased with increasing volume fiber fraction. However, the transversal tensile properties remained at their weakest point. Competitive specific elastic properties compared to those of continuous glass fiber/PA printed composites, given by the literature review, were obtained with the potential to compete the latter in infrastructure, automotive industry, and consumer applications. This is possible if only composite void content is decreased, and its yarn/matrix adhesion is improved.