Effect of Process Parameters on the Compressive and Impact Strength of 3D Printed Parts

Three-dimensional (3D) printing using extrusion-based technology, commonly known as fused deposition modelling (FDM), is a very commonly used process among different types of 3D printing technologies. This technique, due to its simple operational principle, is widely used and researched, and different authors have investigated the influence of parameters on mechanical properties of parts built via FDM technology. However, compressive and impact behaviour of the parts built via FDM is least researched and most researchers have investigated the influence of process parameters on tensile behaviour of the parts. The goal of this research was to study both the compressive and impact strength of 3D printed parts and investigate the influence of process parameters such as layer thickness, print density and part orientation on these properties. The aim was to identify the most suitable parameters for not only obtaining better strength, but also, to obtain the desired strength in quicker and efficient manner with respect to printing time. Standard specimens were printed using FDM process and subjected to impact and compressive tests according to ASTM standards, and the results suggested that part orientation along XZ axis provides good impact and compressive strength at appreciably less time compared with XY orientation. Also, the higher layer thickness parts were found to show better strength compared with lower layer thickness.