Experimental characterization and micrography of 3D printed PLA and PLA reinforced with short carbon fibers

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

The objective of this work is mechanical characterization of 3D-printed materials produced by fused filament fabrication (FFF), selecting polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA reinforced with short carbon fibers at 15% weight fraction (PLA+CF). Because FFF builds specimens layer by layer with predefined orientations, the study assumes laminate-like behavior from orthotropic layers. For printing in the 1–2 plane, tensile moduli (E1, E2), Poisson ratios (ν12, ν21), shear modulus (G12), and strength properties are measured using unidirectional and specially oriented specimens. After failure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyzes fracture surfaces, showing strong fiber orientation along the deposition direction and explaining property differences between experiments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

1 Introduction

3D printing overview and emerging applications

FFF process and key build parameters

Common polymers used in FFF

Limitations of mechanical properties and voids

Goal of the work and material assumptions

See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: [https://www. researchgate. net/publication/316897831](https://www. researchgate. net/publication/316897831) Experimental characterization and micrography of 3D printed PLA and PLA reinforced with short carbon ﬁbers Article in Composites Part B Engineering · May 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2017.05.013 CITATIONS 519 READS 31,251 4 authors, including: Rafael Ferreira Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica 37 PUBLICATIONS 933 CITATIONS Igor Cardoso Amatte Instituto Tecnonógico de Aeronáutica, Brasil, São José dos Campos 2 PUBLICATIONS 519 CITATIONS Thiago Assis Dutra Universidade da Beira Interior 18 PUBLICATIONS 718 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE All content following this page was uploaded by Rafael Ferreira on 15 September 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Experimental characterization and micrography of 3D printed PLA and PLA reinforced with short carbon 􀀌bers Rafael Thiago Luiz Ferreira 1􀀃 Igor Cardoso Amatte 1 Thiago Assis Dutra 1 Daniel B􀁿urger2 ;3 September 15, 2017 1 ITA-Aeronautics Institute of Technology, GPMA-Research Group on Additive Manufacturing, DCTA ITA IEM, 12228-900, S~ao Jos􀀓e dos Campos, S~ao Paulo, Brazil 2 IAE-Institute of Aeronautics and Space, AMR-Materials Division, DCTA IAE AMR, 12228- 900, S~ao Jos􀀓e dos Campos, S~ao Paulo, Brazil 3 FAB-Brazilian Air Force 􀀃 [rthiago@ita.br](rthiago@ita.br), +55 12 3947 6976 Abstract The objective of this work is the mechanical characterization of materials produced by 3D printing based on fused 􀀌lament fabrication (FFF, analogous to FDM➤) . The materials chosen are a polylactic acid (PLA) and a PLA reinforced with short carbon 􀀌bers in a weight fraction of 15%(PLA+CF) . In view of the FFF nature, which produces specimens layer by layer and following prede􀀌ned orientations, the main assumption considered is that the materials behave like laminates formed by orthotropic layers. If the 3D printing is made in the 1 􀀀 2 plane, where 1 is the deposition direction and 2 is a direction perpendicular to 1, the mechanical properties obtained are the tensile moduli E1 and E2 , the Poisson ratios 􀀗12 and 􀀗21 , the shear modulus G12 and related strength properties. For this purpose, only unidirectional or specially oriented specimens are used. After tests up to material failure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is employed to observe fracture surfaces. It was noticed that, in the microstructure of the PLA+CF, the short carbon 􀀌bers stay highly oriented with the material deposition direction in the FFF specimens. This fact, and the also observed length of the 􀀌bers, explains di􀀋erences in material properties encountered among the performed experiments. Keywords: 3D printing, composite material 􀀌lament, experimental properties 1 Introduction 3D printing is an established technology for shape prototyping which is gaining ground in the production of functional components. Applications are emerging in several 􀀌elds at a rapid pace. Examples follow. In agriculture, where equipments and tools for small farms were produced on-site by low cost printers [1] . In biomedical [2, 3], orthotic and prosthetic devices, e.g. in [4] where a printed orthosis was developed for treatment in newborns of developmental dysplasia of the hip. In unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), like reviewed in [5] and seen in [6], where a 3D printed component for a multi-rotor aircraft was designed. In bioprinting, where bioinks are 3D printed to develop constructs with biological functions, able to be used in substitution of organs and tissues [7, 8] . In membrane (selective barriers) technology, like described in the review [9] and references therein. There are also examples in aerospace [10, 11], civil engineering [12, 13, 14], metal matrix composites [15, 16, 17], multi material components [18], food production [19] and others [20] . In 3D printing, a technique commonl

FAQs

What materials are studied in this work?

The study examines polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA reinforced with short carbon fibers at a 15% weight fraction (PLA+CF).

How does FFF influence the assumptions for mechanical behavior?

FFF produces specimens layer by layer with predefined orientations, so the materials are treated as laminate-like structures made from orthotropic layers.

How are fracture surfaces and microstructure investigated?

After mechanical tests up to material failure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to observe fracture surfaces and microstructural features, including fiber orientation.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven