Effect of Printing Direction on the Elastic Properties of 3D-Printed Nylon Materials

Abstract

Thermoplastic parts created using the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technique exhibit transversely isotropic characteristics. The latter are associated with the development of bonds and voids between the printed filaments, both of which are an artifact of the FFF technique and can alter the elastic response of a part. In this study, 3D-printed nylon specimens are examined. The voids included in the specimens are visualized using micro-CT and the elastic properties are quantified by tensile tests. The micro-CT results illustrate that the voids are almost exclusively located between the printed filaments and obtain convex and concave shapes while presenting a limited volume fraction. Finally, the tensile tests indicate that the elastic properties are affected by the printing direction.

Keywords

• 3D-printed thermoplastics
• Fused Filament Fabrication
• micro-CT
• interbead voids