Influence of the molding angle on tensile properties of FDM parts with orthogonal layering

Fused deposition molding (FDM) is one of the most widely used three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies. This paper explores the influence of the forming angle on the tensile properties of FDM specimens. Orthogonal layering details were studied through experiments, theory, and finite element simulations. The stiffness and strength of the specimens were analyzed using the classical laminated plate theory and the Tsai-Wu failure criterion. The experimental process was simulated using finite element simulations. Results show that it is feasible to predict the stiffness and strength of FDM specimens using classical laminated plate theory and the Tsai-Wu failure criterion. A molding angle of 45 degrees leads to specimens with maximized tensile properties. Numerical simulations show that changing the molding angle changes the internal stress and deformation fields inside samples, leading to FDM samples with different mechanical properties due to the orthogonal layers at different molding angles.