Effects of Different Ambient Conditions on Mechanical Properties of 3D Printing Parts Produced with Fused Deposition Modeling

The technology of additive manufacturing has advantages for prototyping. In certain instances, it may be preferable to use 3D-printed components as the primary component making it essential for these components to have sufficient mechanical properties. Therefore, the effect of ambient conditions on the mechanical properties of these components can be quite significant. In this study, the effect of different ambient conditions on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLA parts was investigated. Three specific conditions were considered for this purpose: hot-dry air, hot water, and cold-dry air. Standard samples were fabricated using a 3D-printer and then subjected to the aforementioned environments for 30-min before being tested with a universal testing device. The yield strength, maximum strength, elastic modulus, and toughness values were obtained from the resulting stress-strain graphs of the printed components. The study revealed that ambient conditions significantly affect the mechanical strength of PLA components. Notably, the components retained their tensile strength in cold and dry environments, whereas their mechanical properties deteriorated under wet conditions. Additionally, cold conditions appeared to enhance the mechanical properties of the printed components. In conclusion, it was determined that variable ambient conditions can either degrade or improve the mechanical properties of PLA-printed components.