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Comparative study of the flexural properties of ABS, PLA and a PLA–wood composite manufactured through fused filament fabrication

J.A. Travieso-Rodriguez (Mechanical Engineering Department, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain)
R. Jerez-Mesa (Universitat de Vic-Universitat, Central de Catalunya, Vic, Spain)
Jordi Llumà (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain)
Giovanni Gomez-Gras (Department of Industrial Engineering, Institut Quimic de Sarria, Barcelona, Spain)
Oriol Casadesus (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain)

Rapid Prototyping Journal

ISSN: 1355-2546

Article publication date: 27 October 2020

Issue publication date: 8 January 2021

327

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the mechanical properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) parts manufactured through fused filament fabrication and compare these results to analogous ones obtained on polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA–wood specimens to contribute for a wider understanding of the different materials used for additive manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

With that aim, an experimental based on an L27 Taguchi array was used to combine the specific parameters taken into account in the study, namely, layer height, nozzle diameter, infill density, orientation and printing velocity. All samples were subjected to a four-point bending test performed according to the ASTM D6272 standard.

Findings

Young’s modulus, elastic limit, maximum stress and maximum deformation of every sample were computed and subjected to an analysis of variance. Results prove that layer height and nozzle diameter are the most significant factors that affect the mechanical resistance in pieces generated through additive manufacturing and subjected to bending loads, regardless of the material.

Practical implications

The best results were obtained by combining a layer height of 0.1 mm and a nozzle diameter of 0.6 mm. The comparison of materials evidenced that PLA and its composite version reinforced with wood particles present more rigidity than ABS, whereas the latter can experience further deflection before break.

Originality/value

This study is of interest for manufacturers that want to decide which is the best material to be applied for their application, as it derives in a practical technical recommendation of the best parameters that should be selected to treat the material during the fused filament fabrication process.

Keywords

Citation

Travieso-Rodriguez, J.A., Jerez-Mesa, R., Llumà, J., Gomez-Gras, G. and Casadesus, O. (2021), "Comparative study of the flexural properties of ABS, PLA and a PLA–wood composite manufactured through fused filament fabrication", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 81-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-01-2020-0022

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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