Thermo-mechanical properties of fused filament fabricated PLA at elevated temperatures

This study aims to present the authors' recent research investigating the mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of commercial polylactic acid (PLA) polymer. Samples were manufactured by 3D printing of fused filament fabrication (FFF) and tests were performed according to ASTM International standards for polymers D638, D695 and D790. All test samples were made using the same printing process parameters. The static mechanical tests consisted of tensile and flexural loadings at various temperature ranges, from room temperature to elevated temperature (25°C, 40°C and 50°C, respectively). For ensuring that the additively manufactured products can resist severities of real-life applications, thermal stability under mechanical load tests (HDT - heat deflection temperature) were carried out. The temperature influence on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties was determined and presented, and a synthesis of the characteristics was made in accordance with the applications of products based on the studied material.