Performance of Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printed Fabric with Different Structures.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• 3D printing is increasingly adopted in fashion, leading to innovative product development.
• Fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology offers potential for creating functional textiles.
• Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a viable flexible filament for 3D printed fabrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the performance of 3D printed fabrics using FDM.
• To explore the influence of printing parameters on fabric properties.
• To establish a performance database for 3D printed textiles in apparel applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabric structures were designed and 3D printed using FDM with TPU filament.
• Multiple fabric designs (15) were created with varying nozzle sizes (0.8, 1.0, 1.5 mm) and layer heights.
• Fabric performance was evaluated through ball burst, tensile, and recovery tests.

Main Results:

• The strongest fabric withstood 460 N in ball burst tests and 230 N with 647% elongation in tensile tests.
• Fabric recovery was assessed, showing minimal deformation (2.5%) after cyclic loading.
• Printing parameters significantly influenced the mechanical properties and failure modes of the fabrics.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed TPU fabrics exhibit promising mechanical properties for fashion applications.
• The study provides valuable data for optimizing 3D fabric design and manufacturing.
• This research serves as a reference for developing next-generation 3D printed apparel.