Investigating the impact of 3D printing process parameters on the mechanical and morphological properties of fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composites

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 65; no. 7; pp. 3432 - 3451
• Main Authors: Islam, Sabrina, Bagheri, Z. Shaghayegh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.07.2025; Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: 3D printing; Additive manufacturing; Bend strength; Composite materials; Extrusion rate; Fiber orientation; Flexural strength; Footwear; Fused deposition modeling; fused filament fabrication (FFF); Manufacturing; Mechanical properties; mechanical property; Modulus of elasticity; Modulus of rupture in bending; Nitrides; Parameter identification; polymer‐based composite material; Polyurethane resins; Polyurethanes; Process parameters; Taguchi method; Taguchi methods; Three dimensional printing; Urethane thermoplastic elastomers; Variance analysis; Yield strength; Yield stress; United States
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.27224

Additive manufacturing (AM) is groundbreaking technology that has gained attention for minimizing material waste and enabling tool‐free production of multi‐material structures. This study examines the effect of process parameters on the mechanical properties of patent‐pending composites comprising thermoplastic polyurethane, hexagonal‐boron‐nitride, carbon, and zylon fiber, designed for durable ice friction in footwear outsoles, produced using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), a widely adopted AM technology. Experiments are designed using the Taguchi method, followed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) to identify parameters with the most significant influence. Parameters include filament extrusion temperature, platform temperature, layer height, printing speed, and printing orientation. Extrusion temperature, layer height, and orientation significantly influenced elastic modulus and modulus of resilience (extrusion temperature: p = 0.012, contribution = 12.12% & p = 0.019, contribution = 23.49%; layer height: p < 0.001, contribution = 34.33% & p = 0.008, contribution = 34.63%; orientation: p = 0.001, contribution = 46.11% & p = 0.018, contribution = 27.28%). For tensile and yield strength, extrusion temperature (p = 0.009 for both, contribution = 9.60% & 11.83%), layer height (p = 0.004 for both, contribution = 11.86% & 14.55%), speed (p = 0.004, contribution = 11.60% & p = 0.007, contribution = 12.84%), and orientation (p < 0.001 for both, contribution = 63.49% & 59.28%) are most significant. Five samples, chosen for superior elastic modulus and yield strength, undergo bending tests, exhibiting significant flexural strength without fracture. Findings indicate that precise control of FFF parameters enhances the mechanical properties of polymer‐based composites through AM technology. Highlights Surface‐textured composite via additive manufacturing Explores the effects of process parameters on the mechanical properties Precise control of FFF parameters enhances the mechanical properties. Highlights the importance of controlled fiber orientation Schematic of filament fabrication and fused deposition process.