Investigation of the Effect of Using Unreinforced and Reinforced PLA in Production by Fused Deposition Modeling on Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In recent years, the use of 3-dimensional (3D) printers working with the principles of fused deposition modeling (FDM) has become widespread in many areas. Thanks to this technology, even complex shaped parts, especially prototypes, can be produced in a short time and precisely, so it has become a must for research and development (R & D) studies in many sectors. With the FDM process, the use of polylactic acid (PLA) filaments, which are easy to dissolve in nature (biodegradable), has become important with the effect of environmental concerns. Therefore, it is important to make various reinforcements to PLA filaments to improve some of their properties and to expand their use. In this study, non-reinforced, 20% copper reinforced and 20% carbon fiber reinforced PLA composites were produced by 3D printer. The produced samples were subjected to tensile test and three point bending test and their mechanical properties were compared. It was observed that adding copper and carbon fiber reinforcements to PLA material reduces the tensile and bending strengths.

Keywords

• Carbon fiber reinforced PLA
• copper reinforced PLA
• mechanical properties
• FDM

Eriyik Yığma Modellemesi ile Üretimde Takviyesiz ve Takviyeli PLA Kullanımının Mekanik Özelliklere Etkisinin Araştırılması

Abstract

Son yıllarda eriyik yığma modellemesi (EYM) ilkeleriyle çalışan 3 boyutlu (3B) yazıcıların kullanımı birçok alanda yaygınlaşmıştır. Bu teknoloji sayesinde başta prototipler olmak üzere karmaşık şekilli parçalar dahi kısa sürede ve hassas şekilde üretilebildiğinden çoğu sektörde araştırma geliştirme (AR-GE) çalışmalarının olmazsa olmazı haline gelmiştir. EYM işlemiyle birlikte çevresel kaygıların da etkisiyle doğada çözünümü kolay olan (biyobozunur) polilaktik asit (PLA) filamentlerin kullanımı önemli hale gelmiştir. Bundan dolayı PLA filamentlere çeşitli takviyeler yapılarak bazı özelliklerinin geliştirilmesi ve kullanımının yaygınlaştırılması önem arz etmektedir. Bu çalışmada da takviyesiz, %20 bakır takviyeli ve %20 karbon-fiber takviyeli PLA kompozitler 3B yazıcı ile üretilmiştir. Üretilen numuneler çekme testine ve üç nokta eğilme testine tabi tutularak mekanik özellikleri kıyaslanmıştır. PLA malzemeye bakır ve karbon fiber takviyeler yapmanın çekme ve eğilme dayanımlarını düşürdüğü görülmüştür.

Keywords

• Karbon fiber takviyeli PLA
• bakır takviyeli PLA
• mekanik özellikler
• EYM

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