Lightweight Composites Research Articles

Transformation from D022 to L12 in Al3Ti by Fe Addition for Enhanced Wear Resistance

The addition of third elements may help transform brittle D022-structured lightweight Al3Ti to a relatively ductile L12-structured (Al, M)3Ti (where M represents the third elements), thus increasing the ductility at the expense of hardness. Such a transformation could benefit the wear resistance of the alloy due to improved toughness if a proper balance between the hardness and ductility is achieved. In this work, a D022-predominant Al3Ti alloy (S-Al3Ti) and an L12-predominant (Al, Fe)3Ti alloy (S-Al67Ti25Fe8) were fabricated by arc melting. Change in wear resistance, corresponding to a D022-to-L12 transformation, caused by the addition of Fe as a representative third element, was investigated and compared with the wear resistance of a commercial Al-matrix composite reinforced by 30 wt.% SiC particles (S-Al/SiCp) as a reference material. It was observed that wear of the S-Al3Ti resulted from abrasion involving synergistic oxidation, leading to a larger volume loss. In contrast, the softer S-Al67Ti25Fe8 showed enhanced wear resistance, benefiting from improved toughness with reasonable hardness. During the wear testing, both the alloys exhibited better performance than S-Al/SiCp, a well-known lightweight composite. This study highlights that D022-to-L12 transformation enhances wear resistance due to increased toughness which can be adjusted using the addition of a third element.

Lightweight, high-strength, thermal- and sound-insulating reed scraps/portland cement composite using extruded resin particles

The development of a lightweight composite made from reed scraps, Portland cement, and polystyrene particles can simultaneously address issues related to reed waste, environmental pollution, and carbon emissions produced by the construction industry. However, standard polystyrene particles have low bonding strength with Portland cement and reed scraps, giving the resulting composites inferior mechanical properties and thermal and acoustic insulation characteristics. To overcome these limitations, nano-silicon expanded resin particles (NSERP), composed of polyvinyl alcohol, polystyrene, nano-silicon, and various modifiers, were introduced to replace traditional polystyrene particles in the composite. These novel particles enhanced the interfacial bonding strength and improved the mechanical properties, as well as the thermal and acoustic insulation capabilities of the composites. This study investigated the effects of the water-cement ratio, reed scraps-to-cement ratio, and NSERP dosage on the composite's properties through single-factor experiments. The optimized composite had a density of 0.66 g/cm³ and a compressive strength of 2.5 MPa, and its sound absorption coefficient in the middle and high-frequency bands was 0.7, which was approximately 4.3 times higher than that of conventional silicate composites. Its thermal insulation performance surpassed that of standard composites. This lightweight, high-strength, thermally insulating, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient multifunctional composite has potential applications in building energy conservation, traffic noise reduction, and new energy battery insulation.

All-Polymer Composite Film with Outstanding Mechanical, Thermal Conductive, and EMI Shielding Performances.

Robust polymer-based composites with high thermal conductivity (TC) and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) hold great promise for applications in rapidly developing electronics. Traditional composites containing inorganic fillers often suffer from increases in processing difficulty, density, and significant deterioration in mechanical properties. Herein, we report for the first time a flexible multilayered all-polymer composite of poly(p-phenyl-2,6-phenylene bisoxazole) (PBO) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), featuring excellent mechanical strength of 203.9 MPa, in-plane TC of 21.9 W/mK, EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 44.2 dB, high-temperature stability, and flame retardancy. The excellent TC, mechanical strength, and flame retardancy of PBO, the remarkable EMI shielding performance of PEDOT:PSS, and the π-π stacking interactions between adjacent layers contribute to the comprehensive properties, which outperform most of the traditional composites of polymers and inorganic fillers reported so far. This full-polymer design may pioneer a new strategy for the preparation of robust and lightweight multifunctional composites.

Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with high-entropy oxides and in situ formed Al2O3 and intermetallic compounds through aluminothermic reactions during spark plasma sintering

This work proposes a new strategy for producing aluminum matrix composites with strong interfaces by forming additional reinforcing particles in situ through an aluminothermic reaction between the system components. Sol-gel synthesized high-entropy spinel-type (Cr0.23Mn0.22Fe0.22Co0.19Ni0.13)3O4 oxides (HEO) were added to Al nanopowder and the resulting mixture was subjected to high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and then spark plasma sintering (SPS). As a result of the aluminothermic reaction during SPS, HEO are partially reduced, providing excess oxygen for the formation of reinforcing Al2O3 nanoparticles, and the reduced metals react with Al with the formation of various intermetallic compounds (Al9Me2, Al5Me2, and Al2Me), which, in addition to HEO, serve as secondary strengthening phases. A new hexagonal AlMex phase with lattice parameters of approximately a = c = 1.76 nm has been well documented. HEBM has been shown to be an important step not only for uniform HEO distribution, but also for the aluminothermic reaction to occur at a relatively low temperature by improving the interaction between activated Al and HEO nanopowders. The maximum increase in hardness with the addition of HEO is 198 %, tensile strength 90 % (25°C) and 97 % (500°C), and compressive strength 220 % (25°C) and 250 % (500°C). Excellent mechanical properties are achieved at 500°C: the ultimate tensile and compressive strength are 258 MPa and 410 MPa, respectively. The introduction of HEO also leads to a significant reduction in the coefficient of friction (from 0.7 (0 %) to 0.2 (3 %HEO)) and a noticeable reduction in dynamic wear (5.9–6.3 (3 %HEO) and 10.6–14.3 (5 %HEO) times depending on applied load). Thus, our research opens up exciting new possibilities for creating lightweight and high strength composites for use in the mid-temperature range.

Investigating the synergistic effects of carbon and glass fibers on the mechanical and thermal properties of phenol‐containing phthalonitrile composites

AbstractThe progressive development of lightweight composites exhibiting desirable thermo‐mechanical properties is an area of growing interest, particularly with the phthalonitrile (PN) based composites, which have shown great potential. However, our understanding of the mechanical and thermal properties of the phenol‐containing phthalonitrile (PN75) resin composites often reveals limitations that make them less suitable for specific structural applications. In this work, we focused on enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of the PN75 resin through the incorporation of the 4‐aminophthalonitrile (4‐APN), resulting in improved the curing behaviors and increased thermal stability. Our investigation of the short carbon fiber (SCF) and short glass fiber (SGF) reinforced PN75 resin composites revealed that the hybrid SCF/SGF‐based composites at 15 wt% SCF and 15 wt% SGF content exhibited an excellent tensile and the flexural strength. Additionally, the thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated maximum onset degradation and decomposition temperatures at this ratio compared with the neat resin, also we evaluated the interfacial adhesion properties of the SCF/SGF and the PN75 resin composites. These findings contribute to the advancement of polymer composite materials and expand their potential applications across various industries.

Effects of Core and Surface Materials on the Flexural Behavior of Lightweight Composites Sandwich Beams

Sandwich composite elements are used in many sectors thanks to their low weight/strength ratios, high bending strength, good thermal insulation properties, and low costs. It is widely used in the machinery and construction industry, especially in land, sea, and air vehicles. The main objective of this research is to design and produce lightweight, durable, insulated, and low-cost, sustainable building elements that will meet emergency shelter needs after disasters. For housing purposes, 24 sandwich beams were prepared, eight designs with different surface coatings and core materials, and three in each design group. The effects of surface coating and core material on behavior were investigated with four-point bending experiments. Load-displacement relationships were determined from the experiments, and the beams' load-carrying capacities and failure patterns under the effects of bending and shearing were determined. In addition, theoretical methods determined maximum load values and compared them with the results of the experiments. As a result of the experiments, it was concluded that the best-performing design under bending effects was sandwich beams with plywood surface and XPS core.

The preparation and construction of biomimetic mineralization compatible interface of wood fiber/foamed magnesium oxychloride lightweight composites

The purpose of this study is to improve the application performance of foamed magnesium oxychloride cement (FMOC) and solve the problem of poor interfacial compatibility between the organic-inorganic interface of traditional inorganic composite materials. Inspired by the adhesion mechanism of barnacles to inorganic substrates through amyloid nanofibers and phosphoprotein, a simple green method was proposed to improve the strength and water resistance of the system. The FMOC composites (30×30×30 mm) were prepared by adding wood flour (WF) and phytic acid (PA) to the mixture of magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride. The influences of WF and PA on the compressive strength, composition, microstructure, pore structure, water resistance and flame retardant properties of FMOC were investigated. WF was used as a skeleton structure to induce cement particle aggregation, the PA molecule was used as a connecting bridge to activate the fiber skeleton to increase the active sites, and promote crystal nucleation and aggregation through hydrogen and ionic bond interactions to construct the biomimetic mineralized structure. The results show that the introduction of PA improves the compressive strength and water resistance of the FMOC/WF/PA composite system. When the PA addition amount is 0.8 %, the compressive strength of FMOC/WF/PA-0.8 % composites reached 6.64 MPa, which was 3 times compared to the FMOC composites. The softening coefficient and water absorption of the obtained FMOC/WF/PA-0.8 % composites were 0.81 and 13.84 %, respectively, which were superior to FMOC composites and presented better behavior in water resistance. Meanwhile, the modified composites have more stable pore structure and flame retardant properties, thus these green FMOC/WF/PA composites displayed potential application value in building energy conservation, aerospace and other fields.

Effect of macromolecular structure modification of kapok fibers by silane treatment on mechanical properties of their reinforced composites

AbstractThe present study investigates the usability of lignocellulosic kapok fibers as a reinforcement for lightweight composites. Kapok fibers are modified by dewaxing followed by a silane coupling agent at different concentrations. The crystallographic structure and the alignment of silane linkage polymer chains on fiber structure are examined using X‐ray Diffraction (XRD). The linkage of chemical bonds (SiOC And SiOSi) between the polymer structure of the fiber and silane coupling agent is confirmed from FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, the small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) study is done considering kapok fiber as a nonideal two‐phase system and the study investigates the modification occurring within the macromolecular structure of the kapok fiber. Following the grafting of silanes onto the fiber, silane‐modified kapok fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites are fabricated using the hand lay‐up technique. The chemical treatments on the fiber, enhanced flexural, tensile and impact strength of the composites by 132%, 102%, and 146% respectively.

Valorization of Ricinus communis outer shell biomass to biochar: Impact of thermal decomposition temperature on physicochemical properties and EMI shielding performance

The rising awareness of electromagnetic pollution has increased interest in renewable and ecologically sustainable materials for shielding electromagnetic waves. Research on carbon-based electromagnetic wave absorption materials derived from agro waste is widely explored due to their advantageous characteristics, including low density and consistent physicochemical properties. The research aims to produce biochar with maximum carbon content from Ricinus communis outer shell (RCOS) and to examine the characteristics of biochar/epoxy composites for their application in electromagnetic (EM) shielding. In this study, the composite made from RCOS-based biochar was effectively developed using slow pyrolysis at 400 °C–700 °C. The characterisations of enhanced properties of biochar were conducted by using yield analysis and proximate analysis, elemental analysis, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electrical conductivity. The biochar pyrolysis results revealed that the biochar yield, fixed carbon and maximum carbon content were 30 wt%, 50.49 wt% and 79.2 wt%, respectively, at 700 °C. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that for the biochar at 700 °C, C=C and C-H functional groups were present, and the others were eliminated as volatile gases during biochar production. TG analysis demonstrated higher biochar stability with residues of 75 % for 700 °C. The biochar produced at 700 °C possesses the maximum electrical conductivity of 95 S/m due to the presence of graphitic carbon. The vector network analyser (VNA) measured a maximum shielding efficiency of 26.5 dB in the X-band frequency when adding 40 wt% biochar prepared at 700 °C to the epoxy matrix. The results suggest that the RCOS biochar/epoxy composites have promise as a novel type of absorbent materials because of their low density, lightweight structure, and extensive absorption capacities. These biochar-based lightweight composites can be used as a shielding material for electronic enclosures, telecommunication equipment, and aerospace applications.

Multi‐layer structure design, fabrication and numerical simulations of 3D woven spacer fabric composites with improved mechanical properties

AbstractThe 3D woven spacer fabric lightweight composites (WSFC) show promising applications in construction, transportation and aerospace. In this study, the 3D WSFC with different structural variations (e.g., layer thicknesses, stacking and face layer thickening) were designed and fabricated. The fracture strengths of single‐layer WSFC in the weft direction with layer thicknesses of 5, 10 and 15 mm were 54.4, 14.3, and 5.4 MPa. In the weft direction, the fracture strengths of double‐ and triple‐stacked 3D WSFCs were 30.6 and 21.7 MPa, which improved 1.1 times and 3.0 times as compared with those of original single‐layer 3D WSFCs, respectively. The double‐ and triple‐stacked WSFC also had large flexural deformation. The 3D WSFC with double‐layer misaligned stacking had the similar flexural strengths in both directions, which obviously reduced the performance differentiation of 3D WSFC in different directions. With the addition of face layer fabric, the mechanical performances of 3D WSFC were notably enhanced, and the damage modes were changed from brittle failure to ductile failure. Furthermore, a multi‐scale model of 3D WSFC with different structural variations was developed for numerical simulation to analyze the stress distribution and damage mechanism.Highlights Stacking design obviously improves mechanical properties of 3D WSFC. WSFC with misaligned stacking has similar flexural strengths. A multi‐scale elastic–plastic damage model for 3D WSFC is established. Damage modes of WSFC are changed with the stacking method.

Study of Composite Light Weight Leaf Spring

The fundamental Objective of this project is to represent plan and exploratory examination of composite leaf spring made of glass fiber reinforced polymer. The intention is to look at the load carrying capacity, weight and stiffness effective of composite leaf spring with that of steel leaf spring. The design imperatives are stresses and deflections. The measurements of a current ordinary steel leaf spring of a light business vehicle are taken. Static investigation of leaf spring is likew ise performed utilizing analysis software and compared with experimental results. Limited component investigation with full load on 3D model of composite multi leaf spring is done utilizing analysis software and the analytical results are compared with experimentalresult

Flat silk cocoons: A candidate material for fabricating lightweight and impact-resistant composites

The utilization of silk cocoons in the production of lightweight and tough composites has been gaining increasing attention. However, the limited applications of normal silk cocoons (NSC) are attributed to their small size and irregular shape. To overcome this deficiency, flat silk cocoons (FSC) with a similar structure and controllable size were prepared. Next, we systematically characterized and compared the microstructures, morphologies, compositions, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of FSC with NSC. Subsequently, FSC was successfully utilized to fabricate a novel silk fibroin fiber reinforced sericin matrix composite (HPFSC) using a hot pressing method, followed by the analysis of its microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, failure modes, and theoretical modeling. This composite has outstanding mechanical properties including hardness, modulus, and strength. HPFSC has a relatively low density of ~1.3 g/cm3, whose absorbed impact energy can reach a maximum value of 11.1 J/mm, exceeding that of most engineering materials, such as aluminum alloy, ceramics, glass, and carbon fiber composites. The exceptional performance of HPFSC can be attributed to the reduced porosity, enhanced bonding between silk fibroin fibers facilitated by sericin, and their structural transformation. This study offers valuable guidance for the fabrication of lightweight and impact-resistant composites using flat silk cocoons.

Lightweight composites derived from carbonized taro stems for microwave energy attenuation and thermal energy storage

A novel strategy has been developed for preparing porous carbon materials derived from taro stems, aimed at enhancing electromagnetic wave (EMW) attenuation and thermal energy storage. The materials were synthesized through the carbonization of taro stems to form a porous carbon structure, subsequently enhanced with polyethylene glycol (PEG) containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nickel (Ni) nanoparticles. By adjusting the carbonization temperature and the loading of CNTs and Ni, the resulting carbon materials exhibited exceptional EMW attenuation performance. Specifically, the PC-800 sample demonstrated a remarkable minimum reflection loss of −61.4 dB across the frequency range of 8.2–11 GHz, with a low density of 0.054 g/cm³. The PC-1200 sample exhibited EMI SE values of 23.6 dB axially and 21.5 dB radially in the X-band, with an ultra-low density of 0.033 g/cm³. Further enhancements were observed in the PC/CNT2 and PC/CNT2-Ni15 composites, achieving EMI SE values of 26.3 dB and 26.8 dB, respectively. Additionally, these composites exhibited effective thermal energy storage and release, as confirmed by heating experiments. This study not only introduces a method for creating absorption-dominated biomass electromagnetic shielding materials but also provides a dual-functional solution for enhancing the performance of electronic devices.

Chemical resistance in acidic environments of alkali-activated lightweight composites based on secondary raw materials

The durability problems in Portland cement are related to decalcification of C–S–H; alkali-activated composites are proposed as alternative, focusing on acid exposure and resistance. They were prepared from recycled materials, basic oxygen furnace carbonated and desulfurization slags. The standard material is 100% metakaolin geopolymer compared to slag-based alkali-activated materials (AAMs) with and without reinforcement of fibers (basalt, and cellulose), added in 4 wt%. The acidic environments are H2SO4, HCl, and HNO3 N = 2.14 (10, 7.5, and 12.5 wt%, respectively). The chemical resistance is improved by the addition of basalt fibers. The decrease in weight loss is 48% in HNO3 and 47% in HCl for AAM-Bas sample, while for AAM-Cell it is 9% in HCl and 34% in HNO3. The compressive strength of the AAM and AAM-Bas samples remains constant after HCl attack, while this acid attacks cellulose samples, which are stable in HNO3 and have a compressive strength of 10 MPa.

Optimization Design of the Multidimensional Heterostructure toward Lightweight, Broadband, Highly Efficient, and Flame-Retarding Electromagnetic Wave-Absorbing Composites.

A novel multidimensional electromagnetic wave-absorbing material was developed by combining carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT) with graphene oxide (GO) through multidimensional design, and cobalt/nickel-based metal organic frameworks (Co/Ni-MOF) were subsequently loaded onto the GO surface via its rich functional groups to form the composite absorbing material CNT-rGO-Co/Ni-MOF. Incorporating 25 wt % of CNT-rGO-Co/Ni-MOF into the paraffin matrix led to a remarkable RLmin value of -43 dB at 16.4 GHz, with an effective absorbing bandwidth (EAB) exceeding 4 GHz, all within a thickness of just 1.5 mm, showcasing its "lightweight, broadband, and high efficiency" characteristics. The exceptional electromagnetic wave absorption performance was attributed to multi-interface polarization loss, resistance loss, and magnetic medium loss. Furthermore, when incorporating 10 wt % of CNT-rGO-Co/Ni-MOF, the heat release capacity and peak heat release rate of EP/CNT-rGO-Co/Ni-MOF10 decreased by 59.2 and 52.6%, respectively.

Shear Behavior of High-Strength and Lightweight Cementitious Composites Containing Hollow Glass Microspheres and Carbon Nanotubes

In this study, an experimental program was conducted to investigate the shear behavior of beams made of high-strength and lightweight cementitious composites (HS-LWCCs) containing hollow glass microspheres and carbon nanotubes. The compressive strength and dry density of the HS-LWCCs were 87.8 MPa and1.52 t/m3, respectively. To investigate their shear behavior, HS-LWCC beams with longitudinal rebars were fabricated. In this test program, the longitudinal and shear reinforcement ratios were considered as the test variables. The HS-LWCC beams were compared with ordinary high-strength concrete (HSC) beams with a compressive strength of 89.3 MPa to determine their differences; the beams had the same reinforcement configuration. The test results indicated that the initial stiffness and shear capacity of the HS-LWCC beams were lower than those of the HSC beams. These results suggested that the low shear resistance of the HS-LWCC beams led to brittle failure. This was attributed to the beams’ low elastic modulus under compression and the absence of a coarse aggregate. Furthermore, the difference in the shear capacity of the HSC and HS-LWCC beams slightly decreased as the shear reinforcement ratio increased. The diagonal compression strut angle and diagonal crack angle of the HS-LWCC beams with shear reinforcement were more inclined than those of the HSC beams. This indicated that the lower shear resistance of the HS-LWCCs could be more effectively compensated for when shear reinforcement is provided and the diagonal crack angle is more inclined. The ultimate shear capacities measured in the tests were compared with various shear design provisions, including those of ACI-318, EC2, and CSA A23.3. This comparison showed that the current shear design provisions considerably overestimate the contribution of concrete to the shear capacity of HS-LWCC beams.

Elastomer-based soft syntactic foam with broadly tunable mechanical properties and shapability

Fabrication of lightweight composites using thermally responsive expandable microspheres (EM) embedded in an elastomeric matrix to form syntactic foams offers significant opportunities to create functional and structural composites for diverse applications. The morphology of the EM-elastomer composite on the micro- and macro-scales is significantly influenced by the fabrication sequence and parameters (composition, expansion time/temperature, etc.). Herein, we report the morphological evolution of an EM-elastomer composite through the fabrication processes and elucidate the interaction of relevant fabrication parameters. Unlike the majority of published reports on hard EM composites, the in-situ expansion of the closed-cell foam structure within a soft matrix leads to larger void sizes, and the concomitant expansive force of the EM impacts the polymer chain mobility within the soft composite. At the same time, higher EM loading improves the mechanical properties; the evolved microstructure leads to a lightweight but stiff structure. For the first time the report details the thermal expansion of EM under applied pretension, leading to irreversible prestrain-dependent morphological changes toward anisotropic mechanical properties. Additionally, the composites are shaped under constrained expansion. The study provides a comprehensive guide and expands the pathways for the practical application of EM-embedded soft syntactic foams in aerospace, electronics, wearables, robotics, etc.

Horn sheath-inspired lightweight composites with enhanced impact resistance

The natural Caprinae horn sheaths possess excellent mechanical properties due to the synergistic effects of the porous and corrugated lamellar structure. However, research on bioinspired designs based on this structure remains absent. In this work, we attempted to integrate hollow glass microspheres modified by silane coupling agents into A. pernyi silk fabric, and finally fabricate a horn sheath-inspired composite using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. The impact strength of the horn sheath-inspired composite reaches up to 150 kJ m-2 with a low density of 1290 kg m-³. Fracture morphology analysis and finite element simulation confirmed the toughening mechanisms, including crack deflection and interfacial bonding due to the synergistic effects of the porous structure and the corrugated silk fabrics. This study provides a bioinspired strategy to lightweight and tough composites, with significant potential in impact-critical applications.

Integration of ceramic matrix systems into coreless filament wound fiber-reinforced composite lightweight structures for lunar resource utilization

Integrating ceramic matrix systems into coreless filament winding (CFW) enables the creation of sustainable, heat- and fire-resistant fiber composite lightweight structures. This study introduces a chemically bonded ceramic matrix system based on metakaolin, tailored for space applications utilizing lunar resources. The system employs acidic activation for processing with basalt/mineral fibers and alkaline activation for carbon fibers composites. Initially, the constituents of the matrix system are outlined, alongside potential synthesis pathways from lunar resources. Various formulations, incorporating different additives, are proposed. Through coupon compression testing, the most performative formulations for each activation type are selected for further investigation. The addition of zirconium silicate resulted in a higher compressive strength without significantly affecting the compressive modulus. The study then proceeds to experimentally characterize the matrix system’s viscosity. Subsequently, the processability of the proposed matrix system with CFW is demonstrated through the fabrication of generic medium-size lattice samples. Finally, these samples undergo destructive structural testing in compression. While emphasizing material development aspects, the investigation concludes that the feasibility of the proposed concept is validated through the successful fabrication and testing of generic CFW samples, affirming its potential use in space-related structural applications.

Effect of process parameters on mechanical and tribological characteristics of FDM printed glass fiber reinforced PLA composites

PurposeAdditive manufacturing of polymer composites is a transformative technology that leverages the benefits of both composite material and 3D printing to produce highly customizable, lightweight and efficient composites for a wide range of applications.Design/methodology/approachIn this research work, glass fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) filament is used to print the specimen via fusion deposition modeling process. The process parameters such as infill densities (40%, 50% and 60%) and raster angle/orientations (0°, 45° and 90°) are varied, and the specimens for tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and wear testing are prepared as per their respective ASTM standards.FindingsThe results revealed that with an increase in infill density, the mechanical properties of glass fiber-PLA specimens increase progressively. Optimal tensile properties and flexural properties are obtained at 0° and 90° raster angle orientations and 60% infill density. Minimum wear rate is achieved at 0° raster angle orientation and it increases at 45° and 90° raster angle orientations.Originality/valueUsing SEM, the microscopic analysis of the fractured specimen was analyzed to study the interface between the fibers and matrix and it indicates the presence of good adhesion between the layers at 60% infill density and 0° print orientation.