Experimental Evaluation of Additively Manufactured Continuous Fiber Reinforced Nylon Composites

Continuous fiber reinforced additive manufacturing (CFRAM) is a promising fabrication technology with a wide range of potential applications in different industries. The potential applications of CFRAM components justify the need for investigation of their thermomechanical properties. In this study, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), tensile, and thermal properties of CFRAM components was studied and the effect of fiber percentage on properties was investigated. Nylon was used as thermoplastic polymer matrix and carbon fiber (CF), and fiber glass (FG) as reinforcing agents. It is found that fiber reinforcement improves storage modulus, loss modulus, tensile strength, elastic modulus, thermal conductivity, and heat conduction of nylon. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to study printing quality, fiber-matrix interface, and microstructure of composite. The final results in this research study present the basis for industrial applications of fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers for industrial applications.