On mechanical characterization and damage analysis of additively manufactured continuous fiber/poly‐lactic acid bio‐composite using in‐nozzle technique

Abstract

The use of three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology for producing continuous fiber‐reinforced composites has given us the freedom to fabricate individual designs and lightweight composite structures with improved specific strength, modulus, and fatigue resistance. In this direction, utilizing in‐nozzle impregnation, 3D‐printed continuous cotton fiber (CCoF) reinforced poly lactic acid (PLA) bio‐composites have been fabricated, and the influence of varying layer widths (i.e., 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 mm) on the mechanical performance of the CCoF‐PLA composites was investigated. Results revealed that 3D printing of PLA/CCoF at 0.5 mm layer width enhanced the tensile and flexural strength by 1.2 times and 3.1 times compared with 3D printed neat PLA specimens. The relationships between layering width—microstructural characteristics—mechanical properties of PLA/CCoF composite were quantitatively analyzed based on experimental results.Highlights CCoF‐reinforced PLA composites fabricated through a 3D printing routine. CCoF/PLA samples were fabricated at different layer widths (0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 mm). Better mechanical performance is achieved at 0.5 mm layer width. σy and UTS of composites enhanced by 1.19 times and 1.87 times, respectively. Ef of composites printed at 0.5 mm layer width enhanced by two times.