Mechanical properties of 3D printed composites with ABS/ASA substrate and glass fiber inserts

Abstract

3D printed specimens (ASTM D638 Type I) were manufactured from ABS and ASA material via additive manufacturing through material extrusion 3D printing (ME3DP). During manufacturing, the printing process has been paused, pre-impregnated biaxial or uniaxial glass fiber mesh has been placed onto the ABS/ASA substrate and then the printing process has been resumed. The obtained composite specimens have been subjected to tensile strength testing and results have been compared to those of specimens printed from homogenous material. The influence of raster angle, glass fiber direction and mesh density on resulting toughness has also been analyzed. It was found that inserting uniaxial glass fiber increases toughness of specimens in the axial direction, with a drop in layer adhesion if biaxial fiber is used. Test specimens manufactured with 30 uniaxial fiber strands embedded in a 0o raster angle 3D printed thermoplastic matrix match mechanical characteristics of injection-molded parts. The maximum mesh density without leading to delamination is one layer of glass fiber every two layers of thermoplastic matrix.