Specific Heat Capacity and Thermal Conductivity Measurements of PLA-Based 3D-Printed Parts with Milled Carbon Fiber Reinforcement

Abstract

This research focuses on the thermal characterization of 3D-printed parts obtained via fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology, which uses a poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based filament filled with milled carbon fibers (MCF) from pyrolysis at different percentages by weight (10, 20, 30 wt%). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal conductivity measurements were used to evaluate the thermal characteristics, morphological features, and heat transport behavior of the printed specimens. The experimental results showed that the addition of MCF to the PLA matrix improved the conductive properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs were used to obtain further information about the porosity of the systems.

Keywords

• heat capacity
• thermal conductivity
• 3D printing
• DSC
• laser flash