Impact of Printing Process Parameters on the Tensile and Flexural Strength of Filament Material
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Abstract
This research evaluates the mechanical properties of three polymer-based filament materials used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): Polylactic Acid Plus (PLA+), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), and Carbon Fiber-reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA-CF). The study focuses on maximizing structural integrity and minimizing porosity by employing a 95% solid 3D Honeycomb infill density. Through standardized ASTM D638 tensile testing and ASTM D790 three-point bending tests, the research identifies PLA-CF as the most rigid material, achieving a flexural modulus of 5643.06 MPa. In contrast, PETG and PLA+ demonstrate superior peak tensile forces and higher ductility, making them better suited for applications requiring toughness.
The findings indicate that optimized wall loops and high-density infill patterns significantly mitigate catastrophic failure under load. Comparative analysis with recent literature (2024–2026) corroborates the dominance of infill density in determining mechanical performance, while also highlighting critical research gaps in PLA+ specific parameter optimization and the interaction between wall loops and structural strength. This comprehensive assessment provides essential guidance for material selection in load-bearing engineering applications, such as prosthetic components.
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