Influence of 3D printing process parameters on mechanical properties of PLA based ceramic composite parts

• Optimal 3D printing parameters for PLA-ceramic composites to enhance compressive yield strength, modulus, and strength. • Decreasing layer thickness enhances mechanical strength, but introduces micro-voids, while increasing infill density reduces gaps and porosity, enhancing material strength. • Mechanical performance was assessed via a universal testing machine, analyzing yield strength, modulus, plateau stress, and stress-strain. • SEM and EDX showed microstructural effects; micro-voids & uneven filaments crucial for mechanical performance. The demand for high-strength biocompatible materials in the context of supporting the growth and repair of human tissue on a single platform has increased globally. Therefore, in recent decades, there has been a significant surge in research on the development of high-strength biocompatible materials through additive manufacturing (AM). The ceramic-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites have gained much attention among different researchers for the development of high-strength biocompatible materials. The study focuses on the selection of key 3D printing parameters, such as layer thickness, infill densities, and printing speed, to determine the mechanical properties of ceramic-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composite parts. In this context, an experimental study has been performed to evaluate the effect of all 3D printing process parameters on the mechanical properties of developed parts. Further, microstructural properties were assessed using SEM (scanning electron microscopy), and details of interlayer bonding, void formation, and material distribution were obtained by EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). The results of the analysis have revealed that the compressive yield strength ( σ y ) ( 4.3 t o 9.5 M P a ) , compressive elastic modulus ( E c ) ( 0.4 t o 0.8 G P a ), maximum compressive strength ( σ m a x ) ( 15 t o 39 G P a ) and plateau stress ( σ p ) ( 26 t o 58 G P a ) were observed to increase with a decrease in layer thickness, printing speed and increase in infill density, respectively. The analysis showed that as the layer thickness decreases, printing speed decreases, and infill density increases, the compressive yield strength, compressive elastic modulus, maximum compressive strength, and plateau stress increased.