3D PRINTING OF PLA ONTO TEXTILE FABRICS

Abstract

3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique that produces three dimensional objects through a layering process. Due to its ability to print complex structures, 3D printing has been applied in many disciplines including textiles. Different textiles structures have been printed using 3D printing techniques. 3D printed polymers have also been combined with textile structures to create composites and also enhance mechanical properties. The challenge with those composites has been the adherence of the 3D printed polymer to the textile substrate. Research has been done to improve the adhesion properties by varying 3D printed polymers, modifying fabric properties and also varying the fabric to polymer combinations. In this study a Polylactic Acid (PLA) model was printed on 8 fabric samples that differed in fabric weight, warp density, weft density, warp linear density and weft linear density. The samples were printed using the Athena 3D printer that uses the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique. The adhesion strength of the polymer to the fabric was then tested according to DIN53530 standard. The results were analysed based on the different elements of the fabric structure. Results showed that while some elements had a great effect on adhesion, others showed no direct effect on adhesion force.

Keywords

• 3D Printing
• Adhesion
• Polylactic Acid (PLA)
• FDM process
• textile fabric