Influence of Print Speed on the Mechanical Performance of 3D-Printed Bio-Polymer Polylactic Acid

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Polymer Engineering

Background:

• 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, offers versatile production capabilities.
• Optimizing printing parameters like speed is crucial for material performance.
• Polylactic acid (PLA) is a widely used thermoplastic for 3D printing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of 3D printing speed on the tensile strength of PLA parts.
• To evaluate the influence of sample orientation and post-processing (ironing) on mechanical properties.
• To determine the trade-offs between printing speed, mechanical integrity, and surface quality.

Main Methods:

• Tensile strength testing of 3D printed PLA samples according to ISO 527-1 standard.
• Varying print speeds from 30 mm/s to 500 mm/s.
• Analyzing the effects of build plate orientation and applying an ironing post-processing technique.

Main Results:

• Increasing print speed reduced tensile strength, but the effect was minimal.
• Samples printed along the Y-axis demonstrated superior tensile performance.
• Ironing significantly enhanced fracture surface consistency and tensile strength by improving layer adhesion and reducing porosity.

Conclusions:

• High-speed 3D printing of PLA is feasible for applications where minimal strength reduction is acceptable, such as prototyping and decorative items.
• Print orientation and ironing are critical factors for maximizing tensile strength in 3D printed PLA.
• Careful consideration of these parameters is necessary for demanding applications requiring higher mechanical performance.