Strength analysis of 3D printed carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic using experimental and numerical methods

A study of strength of composite materials produced by 3D printing technology is presented. The samples fabrication and tests to determine the strength both in bending and in tension of the composite materials have been carried out. The composite samples were additively manufactured using Markforged® 3D printer of type Mark-Two. The fabricated composite samples were of carbon fiber filament combined with a thermoset plastic matrix, by its producer named "Onyx". The tests provided sample mean value for the ultimate tensile strength of 560 MPa and the tensile modulus of 25 GPa. Based on the three point bending tests the ultimate flexural strength of 271 MPa and flexural modulus of 16 GPa were estimated. The tests are reported and discussed in view of stress analysis modeling the layered composite with finite element models. (paper)