Effects of infill on tensile strength of solid 3D-printed carbon fiber reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

Abstract

This study examined the tensile strength of solid plastic parts that were 3D‐printed using fused filament fabrication (FFF). Samples were manufactured with interior strands (infill) of plastic laid down at different slopes to the tensile axis. Within each sample, infill angle alternated by layer +x or ‐x degrees to that axis, where x was 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees. Two materials were compared: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and ABS with carbon fiber reinforcement. Tensile strength was found to increase as the strand angle approached parallel with the direction of tensile force. Contrary to expectations, ABS samples exhibited higher tensile strengths than carbon fiber reinforced ABS samples. The results are anticipated to inform manufacturers and 3D‐printer users who are interested in the tensile strengths of 3Dprinted objects.