Effect of carbon fiber reinforcement on dimensional variations of 3D printed polyamide-6 composites: A simulation study

Due to material design and fabrication flexibility, additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing (3DP) processes polymer composites have paved their way into several industrial sectors. The quality of printed is highly dependent on the reinforcement content polymers 3DP process parameters. Several experimental studies are performed optimize contents parameters; however, exploring numerical modeling simulation techniques vital lower research development costs. In study, simulations for were using Digimat® software carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide-6 (PA6) fabricated via fused filament (FFF) evaluate effect deflections, warpages, process-induced residual stresses. FFF fabricate tensile testing coupons with pure PA6 10%-28% CF-reinforced composites. A significant impact CF-reinforcement was observed maximum displacement 4.518 mm critical warpage 3.012 material. However, addition CF reinforcement, a deflection 3.369 2.246 achieved reinforced 28% (PA6-CF28). improved specimen acquired at cost increased stresses 14.53 MPa compared 11.75 in specimen. significantly performance PA6/CF composites, reducing deflections warpages.