Optimization of fused filament fabrication process parameters for mechanical responses of weather‐resistant polymer (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate)

Abstract

AbstractAdditively manufactured polymeric products for automotive, aerospace, and biomedical applications are usually intended for service in an outdoor environment with high mechanical loading conditions. The strength and sustainability of the products can be significantly degraded due to the outdoor environmental conditions such as UV light, moisture, heat, and so forth. In this research work, a novel weather‐resistant polymer (WRP) material, that is, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), has been studied. Furthermore, this work aims to study the effect of process parameters and enhance the strength of WRP (ASA) specimens using the FFF process. The optimized process parameters, that is, build orientation (BO), extrusion temperature (ET), layer thickness (LT), and printing speed (PS), were identified based on the tensile and flexural strength using the Taguchi technique and statistical analysis. The best tensile and flexural strengths for the specimen were achieved at both orientations (XYZ and ZXY) TS: 255°C ET, 0.14 mm LT, 50 mm/s PS; and FS: 245°C ET, 0.28 mm LT, 50 mm/s PS, respectively. Regression model was developed to investigate the correlation between the process parameters with tensile and flexural strength. A validation test confirmed the findings, and the error between the actual and predicted values is less than ±10%.