Tensile strength and strain behavior study and modeling of PLA printed parts with optimized AM parameters

The applications of fused disposition modeling (FDM) 3D printed components have dramatically increased due to their efficient production time, exceptional mechanical properties, and excellent finishing quality. The challenge of studying the behavior and predicting the mechanical properties of 3D PLA (polylactic acid) fabricated parts with varying sets of printing parameters has risen with innovative and complex component shapes. Therefore, this study highlights three main printing parameters that influence the durability and integrity of the parts produced by PLA. This study illustrates the effect of three printing process variables: raster angle (RSA), layer thickness (LYT), and infill density (IFD), on two outputs: strength at fracture and strain behavior of PLA-printed specimens. The study shows extensive experimental work of 27 sets of different combinations of printing processes (108 tested specimens). It also presents two quadratic mathematical models to predict: (1) the tensile strength and (2) strain at fracture of PLA-printed specimens, including the effects of the printing parameters. The prediction and experimental results are quite comparable to one another. The study concludes with an optimized set of printing parameters for higher durability and greater integrity.