Work

Effect of thermal treatment on the mechanical behaviour of 3D-Printed carbon fiber-reinforced PLA bioplastic

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of optimized Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) parameters and post-process heat treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and dimensional properties of carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid (CF-PLA). Tensile, compressive, and flexural tests were conducted on samples annealed at three different temperatures (80°C, 100°C, and 120°C) with varying holding times (30, 60, and 90 minutes). The mechanical performance was analyzed, and fracture morphology was inspected using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Results demonstrated significant improvements, particularly in HTPLA, with enhanced inter-layer bonding and reduced voids. FESEM analysis confirmed these observations, highlighting structural differences in fracture surfaces. These findings provide insights into optimizing post-processing conditions for improving the strength of CF-PLA composites, making them suitable for load-bearing applications.

Source: Journal of Elastomers & Plastics

DOI: 10.1177/00952443261427226

Authors: Suresh S, Suresh S, Velmurugan D, Balaji J, Gopal P M, Elayaraja R, Sudhagar S, Sudhagar S

Institutions: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Sengunthar Engineering College (Autonomous), Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Vellore Institute of Technology University

Language: English

Topic: Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies

Subfield: Automotive Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,150

OpenAlex ID: W7129066161

FWCI: 5.785

Cites: 53

Cited by: 3

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