Modeling the fracture behavior of 3D-printed PLA as a laminate composite: Influence of printing parameters on failure and mechanical properties

Additively Manufactured parts are known to be heavily affected by the 3D-printing parameters, and their layered morphology represents a challenge in the mechanical design analysis for engineering applications. In this work, the fracture mechanics of 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) samples along different printing directions was simulated as a laminate composite using different numerical approaches, i.e. extended Finite Element (XFEM) and cohesive method. Tensile specimens were 3D-printed via Fused Filament Fabrication in different directions and tested to build the stiffness matrix needed to define the constitutive behavior of the 3D-printed material. Moreover, the influence of different printing parameters (i.e. printing direction, infill, nozzle temperature and perimeter) on the mechanical response was investigated using the statistical approach analysis of variance (Anova). The statistical analysis has shown a strong influence of the printing direction and the perimeters on the resulting mechanical properties, with tensile strength ranging from 52 MPa in the best case to 4 MPa in the worst. The performed FEM analysis correctly predicts the fracture behavior of the 3D-printed samples, with an error on the predicted failure load well below 7%. The investigated model, thus, represents a useful analysis approach to broader the use of 3D printing in engineering applications.

Automated summary

In this study, the fracture mechanics of 3D-printed PLA samples were simulated using different numerical approaches, and the influence of printing parameters on mechanical properties was analyzed. The results showed that the printing direction and parameters greatly affected the mechanical response, with a tensile strength ranging from 52 MPa to 4 MPa. The performed finite element analysis accurately predicted the fracture behavior, with an error below 7%. The investigated model provides a useful analysis approach for the broader use of 3D printing in engineering applications.