Optimization of Tensile Properties in 3D-Printed PETG Honeycomb Structures via Taguchi Method: Influence of Cell Size and Geometric Orientation

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 167 - 178, 30.04.2025

Ahmet Fatih Yılmaz

Abstract

Honeycomb structures are extensively used in engineering applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, energy absorption capacity, and customizable mechanical behavior. However, optimizing their tensile performance remains a significant challenge. This study systematically investigates the effects of cell size (1.75 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.25 mm) and geometric orientation (0º, 15º, 30º) on the tensile behavior of 3D-printed polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) honeycomb structures, fabricated using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Nine different specimens were manufactured and tested following the ASTM D638 standard. The optimal configuration was determined using Taguchi’s signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio analysis, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted for statistical evaluation. The results indicate that a cell size of 1.25 mm and a 30º orientation provided the highest fracture force (277.03 N), while the 1.75 mm cell size at 30º exhibited the greatest energy absorption (335.59 × 10⁻³ J). ANOVA confirmed that cell size significantly influenced tensile strength, whereas geometric orientation had a greater impact on energy absorption. This study contributes to optimizing 3D printing parameters for enhanced mechanical performance and provides insights for designing lightweight, high-strength structures in aerospace and structural applications. Future research may include computational simulations to further validate these findings.

Keywords

Honeycomb structures , FDM , Taguchi optimization , PETG

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