Determination of the Effective Fused Deposition Modeling Process Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber–Reinforced Polypropylene Parts

Abstract

ABSTRACT Additive manufacturing is gaining popularity for producing components in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medicine due to its potential to minimize material waste. Because the strength of the 3-D-printed part is so important, it’s crucial to do research and optimize process parameters to make the printed parts as strong as possible. This work focuses on the experimental investigation and discussion of the tensile and impact strength of parts made from carbon fiber–reinforced polypropylene (PP-CF) using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique. Various process parameters, including infill pattern, infill density, layer thickness, and build orientation, are examined on three different levels to determine their influence on the tensile and impact strength of the printed part. The outcomes of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis reveal that infill density primarily affects impact strength, whereas layer thickness significantly influences tensile strength. The optimal combination of parameters leading to the maximum tensile and impact strength consists of a grid infill pattern, 60 % infill density, 0.36-mm layer thickness, and a 45° build orientation. Furthermore, fracture surface analysis is consistent with mechanical test results.