Journal
POLYMERS
Volume 13, Issue 21, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/polym13213637
Keywords
fused filament fabrication; 3D printing; coefficient of thermal expansion; moisture; dimensional accuracy; carbon fiber reinforcement
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Funding
- Markforged of Watertown
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The study explored the effects of environmental factors on the dimensional accuracy of 3D printed parts, focusing on the thermal expansion coefficients of nylon materials and the impact of moisture uptake. It found that nylon reinforced with discontinuous carbon fiber exhibited high anisotropy, while continuous fiber reinforcement throughout the part significantly reduced the effects of moisture.
Environmental effects-temperature and moisture-on 3D printed part dimensional accuracy are explored. The coefficient of thermal expansion of four different nylon materials was determined for XY and ZX print orientations, with 0 & DEG;, 45 & DEG;/-45 & DEG;, and 90 & DEG; infill patterns. Unreinforced nylon exhibited a thermal expansion coefficient of the same order regardless of condition (from 11.4 to 17.5 x 10(-5) 1/& DEG;C), while nylons reinforced with discontinuous carbon fiber were highly anisotropic, for instance exhibiting 2.2 x 10(-5) 1/& DEG;C in the flow direction (0 & DEG; infill angle) and 24.8 x 10(-5) 1/& DEG;C in the ZX orientation. The temperature profile of a part during printing is shown, demonstrating a build steady state temperature of ~ 35 & DEG;C. The effect of moisture uptake by the part was also explored, with dimensional changes of ~0.5-1.5% seen depending on feature, with height expanding the most. The effects of moisture were significantly reduced for large flat parts with the inclusion of continuous fiber reinforcement throughout the part.
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