17th International Fiber and Polymer Research Symposium

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Effect of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Process Parameters on Mechanical Properties of Woven Polymeric Structures

Authors :

Shree Kaji Ghimire¹ Ashok Sapkota² Sabit Adanur³ Emel Kuram⁴ Recep Onler⁵

1- Auburn University 2- Auburn University 3- Auburn University 4- Gebze Technical University 5- Gebze Technical University

Keywords :

fused deposition modeling،additive manufacturing،fabric،mechanical properties،process parameters

Abstract :

Commercialization of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques has opened doors for using this method not only for prototyping and tooling but also for industry–scale manufacturing. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) also known as Free Form Fabrication (FFF) is one of the most popular AM used specially for processing of thermoplastic polymers. Being less wasteful and having reduced impact on nature with ability to produce complex designs, researchers have started to explore FDM for fabrication of flexible textile structures. The purpose of this research is to identify the effect of FDM process parameters on production of flexible textile structures. 2/1 twill design is adapted for this research and polylactic acid (PLA) is used to manufacture the samples. PLA is a biocompatible material with good mechanical properties and easily available in the market. The samples are produced with different extrusion temperatures and printing profiles and then are subjected to tensile and 3-point flexural loading. Individual yarns are also removed from the sample and are tested for tensile strength. In addition, the surface of the specimens is investigated with an optical microscope. The results show that the strength of the twill weave structure in warp direction is higher than the strength in the weft direction. Additionally, maximum tensile stress for individual warp yarns is observed for standard type printing profile for every extrusion temperature, highest being 44 MPa for 205ºC extrusion temperature. The microscopic analysis shows that surface roughness has increased with an increase in extrusion temperature. Fine deposition of layers on top of one another is observed for high detail printing profile whereas some defects are present in high-speed profile type. The printing profile impacts the production time whereas extrusion temperature has no effect on it. Results suggest that, as compared to high-speed profile, production time is increased by 27% and 41% for standard profile and high detail profile, respectively.