Date:

2025-04-30

Title of Paper:

Interface and performance of 3D printed continuous carbon fiber reinforced PLA composites

Journal:

Composites A

Summary:

A novel 3D printing based fabrication process of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTPCs) was proposed to overcome limitations of conventional forming process in expense and efficiency. Continuous carbon fiber and plastic filament were utilized as reinforcing phase and matrix, respectively, and simultaneously input into the 3D printing process to realize the preparation and forming of CFRTPCs. Interfaces and performance of printed composites were systematically studied by analyzing the influencing of process parameters on the temperature and pressure in the 3D printing process for CFRTPCs. Composite specimens were prepared by 3D printing process using variable process parameters, such as temperature of liquefier, layer thickness, and hatch spacing. Measurements of flexual strength and microstructures were conducted to established the correlation of process parameters, microstructures, and mechanical performance. The forming mechanism of multiply interfaces in the 3D printed composites was proposed and utilized to explain the correlations between process and performance. Using optimized process parameters, maximum flexual strength of 335MPa and modulus of 30 GPa were obtained. Also, the fiber content can be easily controlled by changing the process parameters and maximum value of 27% were achieved in the experiment. Composite components were fabricated to demonstrate the process feasibility in the rapid fabrication of light and complex composite structures. Potential applications in the field of aviation and aerospace could be found in the future.

Co-author:

Xiaoyong Tian*, Tengfei Liu, Chuncheng Yang, Qingrui Wang, and Dichen Li

Volume:

10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.05.032

Translation or Not:

No

Date of Publication:

2016-05-30