Enhancing the strength and surface quality of 3D printed using fusion deposition modelling carbon fiber reinforced PLA composite parts

The final quality of 3D printed parts through Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) depends on many parameters, which vary for the printing of different materials. The addition of carbon fibers to polylactic acid (PLA) enhances its strength while reducing its printability. Hence, selection of appropriate process parameters for printing carbon fiber reinforced PLA (CF-PLA) is essential. Many industrial applications require high strength along with better surface finished components. The current research studies the effect of the FDM variables printing temperature, printing speed, infill density, and layer thickness on the tensile strength and surface roughness of a 3D printed part. The experiments were designed using the response surface methodology, and 31 experimental trials were generated. The tensile strength of the 3D printed component was influenced by the printing temperature, printing speed, and infill density, while layer thickness had no significant effect on the tensile strength. Similarly, for surface roughness, the infill density has no significant effect, but the other parameters have a significant influence. The optimum process parameters yielding a maximum tensile strength of 39.54 MPa and a minimum of surface roughness of 13.77 μm are printing temperature of 247.4 °C, printing speed of 40 mm/min, infill density of 91.8 % and layer thickness of 0.2 mm.