Effect of laser heating on mechanical strength of carbon fiber–reinforced nylon in fused filament fabrication

Pu Han, Shams Torabnia, M. Faisal Riyad, Mohammed Bawareth, Keng Hsu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) has become the preferred method for 3D printing of thermoplastic polymer parts due to its cost-effectiveness in comparison with powder- or resin-based 3D printing methods in both machines and materials. It also holds the potential to replace injection molding for small batch production, due to significantly reduced tooling costs, lead time, and the ability to create complex structures. However, the mechanical strength of polymer parts fabricated using this method is significantly lower than those produced using injection molding; this issue is worse in printed polymer composites due to undesirable rheological behaviors of infills during the filament extrusion process. This study investigates the use of an in-process orbiting laser pre-deposition heating technique aimed to enhance the mechanical strength of carbon fiber–reinforced filament in FFF. In this work, the mechanical strength, strain, and fracture behavior are investigated. This innovative technology increases tensile strength from 17.4 to 34.9 MPa at 0.45 W laser power and increases strain from 0.028 to 0.084. Moreover, the laser-treated samples exhibit marked differences in fracture surface characteristics when compared to control samples. The adoption of this approach can provide a solution to the main barrier to the adoption of FFF 3D for engineering and industrial applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6139-6146
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Volume133
Issue number11-12
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Carbon fiber–reinforced filament
  • Fused filament fabrication
  • Laser heating; Reptation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Software
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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