A REVIEW OF 3D PRINTED CARBON FIBER REINFORCED PLA COMPOSITES IN FUSED FILAMENT FABRICATION

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) has evolved significantly and expanded its use in a wide range of applications over the past few decades. Fused filament fabrication (FFF), which is based on filament extrusion, is a widely used AM process technique, especially when it comes to polymers. One of the methods to overcome the limitations and specially increase the mechanical properties of thermoplastic printed parts in FFF is the use of short and continuous fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFPRCs), especially carbon fibers. Research in this area is mainly based on the examination of mechanical and other properties, as well as influential factors, on printed parts made of these composites. Printing parameters are particularly interesting influential parameters and thus are most often examined. This paper will provide an overview and results of available research related to the use of short and continuous carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites (CFRPLAC) in the FFF technique.