Study on effects of additive manufacturing process conditions on part properties for engineering applications

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, UP, India
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRMS College of Engineering and Technology Bareilly, 243202, UP, India
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, 282005, UP, India

^* Corresponding author: er.pushpendra@gmail.com

Abstract

The present research study focused on examining the impact of post-processing, i.e. annealing on Polylactic acid (PLA) parts processed through additive manufacturing for engineering application. The parts are fabricated corresponding to two variable parameters: layer thickness and infill density. The Makerbot replicator2 system is used for sample fabrication. The comparative analysis is performed for mechanical properties corresponding to annealed and non-annealed conditions of specimens. The results show that the post-processing positively affects the mechanical properties of PLA products for engineering applications. The specimens with 60% infill density, provided 6.015%, 11.748%, and -1.834% improved strengths than un-annealed specimens, corresponding to layer thicknesses 0.2 mm, 0.3mm, and 0.4 mm respectively. In similar manner, the specimens with 90% infill density, provided 6.761 %, 7.184 %, 5.427% improved strengths than un-annealed specimens, corresponding to layer thicknesses 0.2 mm, 0.3mm, and 0.4 mm respectively. Post-processing improved the mechanical properties. The significance of the annealing for engineering applications is also discussed in the study.