Influence of Fabric Structure on the Adhesion and Functional Properties of 3D Printed Polymers on the Woven Fabric

Abstract

In the textile industry, various 3D printing technologies are used in fashion design and functional clothing (protective, military and sportswear, including wearable electronics), where the textile substrate is functionalized using additive technology. 3D printing allows the personalization of the product, which translates in the apparel industry in the production of special clothing or the customized production of clothing parts with additional functions at a more rational cost. In our research, we developed and investigated textiles with enhanced protective properties produced by direct 3D polymer printing on fabrics. Twelve woven fabrics were produced in sateen, twill and hopsack with two different weft yarns and in two weft densities. A preliminary T-peel test was used to determine the optimal fabric structure that would ensure maximum adhesion for direct 3D printing of thermoplastic materials on fabric. 3D objects were printed on textile substrates using fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology and thermoplastic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) filaments. The main objective was to develop functional textiles with improved protective properties. The results of the physical-mechanical and permeability properties of the functional textiles indicate a promising increase in abrasion resistance by at least 70%, although some other properties deteriorate.