Prediction of Tensile Strength of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Printed PLA Using Classic Laminate Theory

Sep 14, 2026

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is constrained by insufficient knowledge of the mechanical behavior of printed components. This study applies Classic Laminate Theory (CLT) to analyze different layer thickness and raster width configurations for FDM-printed Polylactic Acid (PLA). Elastic constants for CLT are experimentally determined from unidirectional specimens printed at 0°, 45°, and 90°. Constitutive models are then developed to predict tensile properties, and tensile strength measurements from bidirectional specimens validate the CLT predictions. Results show strong agreement, with highest tensile strength and modulus at 0° raster angle, and for bidirectional parts at 45°/-45° followed by 30°/-60° and 0°/90°.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Additive Manufacturing and mechanical property challenges

Fused Deposition Modeling process and key parameters

Classic Laminate Theory for composite-like FDM parts

Aim of using CLT to predict tensile behavior

Contents lists available at GrowingScience Engineering Solid Mechanics [homepage: www.GrowingScience.com/esm](homepage: www.GrowingScience.com/esm) Prediction of tensile strength of fused deposition modeling (FDM) printed PLA using classic laminate theory Shilpesh R. Rajpurohita, Harshit K. Davea* and Kamlakar P. Rajurkarb aDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat-395007, India bDepartment of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln-68588-0454, United States A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T | Article history:
Received 25 July 2021 Accepted 11 December 2021 Available online
11 December 2021 | The application of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is restricted due to limited information about the mechanical properties of printed parts. Therefore, it is required to determine the mechanical properties of the FDM properties to avail the full benefit of the FDM process. In the present study, Classic Laminate Theory (CLT) has been employed at the different configurations of layer thickness and raster width. The required elastic constant of material for CLT has been experimentally obtained through FDM printed Polylactic Acid (PLA) unidirectional specimens at 0°, 45° and 90° for different combinations of layer height and raster width. For these different combinations of layer height and raster width, constitutive models were developed to predict the tensile properties of the PLA parts. Tensile strength of the FDM printed bi-directional specimens has been experimentally obtained to validate the proposed CLT model results. The experimental tensile strength data is in good agreement with the data predicted by the proposed CLT model. Higher tensile strength and modulus were achieved with 0° raster angle compared to 90° raster angle. In the case of a bi-directional printed specimen, higher tensile strength was obtained with 45°/-45° raster angle followed by 30°/-60° and 0°/90° raster angle.
© 2022 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved. | | --- | --- | | Keywords:
Fused deposition Modeling Classic laminate theory Raster angle
Layer height Raster width Tensile strength | | 1. Introduction Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique fabricates complex parts layer by layer using computer-aided (CAD) data. An additive manufacturing technique was used to develop industrial prototypes. Recently, AM technique has been significantly enhanced and its applications have been extended to the production of end-use parts. It is necessary to investigate the mechanical properties of the manufactured part to make sure that it meets the mechanical strength requirements for the desired application. The strength and elastic behavior of the AM built parts differ from the raw material due to the layer-by-layer deposition and layer orientation during layer upon layer deposition. The AM produced parts can only be used if their mechanical properties are known and taken into account during the designing of parts depending upon process parameterselection. However, the prediction of the mechanical properties of the 3D printed parts under a real set of working conditions is one of the critical issues that need to be addressed. Hence, it is required to apply an existing appropriate theory that can estimate the mechanical behavior of a printed part (Alaimo et al., 2017; Xia et al., 2019) . Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one of the most widely used AM processes that can produce polymer prototypes and functional end-use parts. In the FDM process, polymer filament is heated to its melting temperature and then extruded through a heated nozzle, depositing material as raster on the heated bed in a layer. After one layer printing, the heated bed moves in a * Corresponding author. E-mail [addresses:](addresses: harshitkumar@yahoo.com)[ ](addresses: harshitkumar@yahoo.com)[harshitkumar@yahoo.com](addresses: harshitkumar@yahoo.com) (S. R. Rajpurohi

FAQs

Why is tensile property prediction important for FDM printed parts?

FDM application is limited because mechanical properties of printed parts are not sufficiently characterized. Predicting these properties is needed to ensure parts meet strength requirements for real applications.

How does the study use Classic Laminate Theory (CLT) for PLA?

CLT is employed to treat the FDM printed part as a laminated polymer composite. Elastic constants are experimentally obtained from unidirectional specimens and constitutive models are built to predict tensile properties for different layer and raster configurations.

Which raster angles produced the highest tensile performance in the results?

For unidirectional comparisons, 0° raster angle produced the highest tensile strength and modulus versus 90°. For bidirectional specimens, 45°/-45° gave the highest tensile strength, followed by 30°/-60° and 0°/90°.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin