Effect of the Process Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Specimens Fabricated by Material Extrusion 3D Printing

This work aims to study the influences of nozzle temperature, layer thickness and raster angles on the mechanical properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) specimens fabricated by material extrusion 3D printing. Tensile tests were carried out in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of ABS and PLA specimens. The results showed that tensile strength decreased at a higher nozzle temperature for ABS, while an increase followed by a decrease in tensile strength occurred for PLA, with the maximum value obtained at 250 °C. Scanning electronic microscopy was used to analyze the surface fracture after tensile tests of specimens fabricated with different nozzle temperatures. Moreover, the highest tensile strength values for both ABS and PLA were achieved with a raster angle of [0°], the same direction as the applied tensile load. Additionally, a higher tensile strength was obtained for both ABS and PLA at a lower layer thickness. Based on these results, the process parameters used to manufacture a 3D object influence its mechanical properties.