Flexural performance of FDM-fabricated PLA composites reinforced with short carbon fiber
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1129-5919
G. S. Pradeep Kumar
Christ University, Bangalore
Mallikarjun Biradar
Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management
B. K. Pavan kumar
Ballari Institute of Technology and Management
S. Mohan Kumar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru-560035, India
Shijo Thomas
Christ University
Abstract
Adding short carbon fiber reinforcement to thermoplastic matrices can improve the mechanical performance of additively manufactured polymer-based composites. This work examines the flexural behavior of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)-produced polylactic acid (PLA)-based composites enhanced by short carbon fibers at 3 wt% and 6 wt%. For comparison, unreinforced PLA specimens were also fabricated under identical processing conditions. All the samples were tested for flexural strength using a three-point bend test, following the ASTM standards for polymer composites. The results showed a clear improvement in strength as the reinforcement content increased. The PLA composite with the 3% short carbon fiber reinforcement showed a noticeable increase in load-bearing ability, while the 6% reinforced composite had an impressive 88% higher flexural strength than the plain PLA. To examine how the materials failed, SEM has been utilized to assess the samples' fractured surfaces.
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