Mechanical properties of 3D-printed Onyx-fibreglass composites: Role of roof layers on tensile strength and hardness - Using anova technique

This study examines the essential role of fibre layers in improving the mechanical properties of 3D-printed composites composed of Onyx and fiberglass. Utilizing the Mark forged Mark Two (Gen 2) 3D printing technology, tensile strength and hardness were evaluated under varying infill patterns, orientations, and roof layer (fibre) configurations (2, 4, and 6 layers). Results demonstrated significant improvements in mechanical performance with an increased number of fibre layers. The optimal tensile strength was achieved with six roof layers and a honeycomb infill pattern at a 45 degrees orientation, leading to a 132.4 % increase in tensile strength and a 24.2 % improvement in hardness compared to the sample without fibre reinforcement. ANOVA analysis confirmed that fibre(roof) layers play a crucial role in mechanical performance, accounting for 99.73 % of the impact on tensile strength and 94.34 % on hardness. These findings highlight the importance of roof layer design in enhancing the performance of 3D-printed composites and provide practical insights for parameter optimization to meet the demanding requirements of aerospace, automotive, and construction applications.