Effect of Filling Ratio-Pattern Parameters on Mechanical Properties of PLA Filaments Used in 3D Printing


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Kartal F., Kaptan A.

Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, cilt.7, sa.1, ss.196-202, 2024 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

This research primarily focuses on the mechanical properties of specimens produced using Polylactic Acid (PLA) through the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technique, a method of 3D printing. Although the PLA-FDM process has been studied extensively in the literature, the mechanical mechanical response of the parts varies significantly and has not been examined simultaneously in relation to combinations of 5 filler ratios and 4 filler types.Within the scope of this study, specimens were fabricated using various fill percentages (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 95%) and different infill patterns (Triangle, Linear, Honeycomb, and Concentric). Detailed examination of these specimens provided insights into their tensile and flexural strength values. The simultaneous effect of variable parameters on mechanical properties is a challenging task, and it is aimed to rank the importance of the parameters, model the process, and finally validate the models using tensile and bending experiments. The results show that samples with a Concentric pattern and 95% fill rate exhibited the highest tensile strength with an average of 48.67 MPa. In contrast, the Triangle pattern with 20% infill ratio showed the lowest tensile strength with an average of 14.15 MPa. When evaluating flexural strength values, the Concentric design with a 95% fill ratio stood out once again, recording an average peak value of 79.94 MPa. Meanwhile, the Honeycomb pattern at 20% infill ratio exhibited the lowest strength value measured with an average of 23.3 MPa. These findings underscore that the mechanical attributes of PLA specimens produced using 3D printing technology can significantly vary based on the chosen fill rate and pattern. It is evident that these parameters play a pivotal role in determining the final strength of the product.