| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2023 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2023)
|
| Symposium
|
2023 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2023)
|
| Presentation Title |
3D Printing of Continuous Stainless Steel Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites |
| Author(s) |
Alison Clarke |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Alison Clarke |
| Abstract Scope |
This study investigates for the first time, the incorporation of stainless steel fibers (SSF), as a reinforcement for 3D printed polymer parts. The steel fibre bundle contains 90 fibers each of 14 µm diameter. Polylactic acid (PLA) is co-extruded with the SSF to fabricate PLA-SSF filaments, with a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm. A fused filament fabrication technique was used to print composites, with a fibre volume fraction of up to 30%. Good polymer ingress around the individual steel fibers was demonstrated and part porosity levels down to 2%, were achieved (based on CT scans). Particular attention was given to achieving a homogeneous distribution of the steel fibers within the printed PLA-SSF composites. The composites' exhibited a six-fold increase in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), compared with PLA only parts. The values obtained of up to 28.5 MPa are significantly higher than the approx. 13 MPa obtained for glass fibre composites. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |