Make It or Break It: How Do Different Filaments and Fill Patterns Affect the Strength of a 3D Printed Object?

Overview

Objectives/Goals This project's objective is to compare the strengths of 3D printer plastics and internal structures under a variety of stresses: shear, torsion, flexure, and tension. Methods/Materials Using a Solidoodle 2 Pro 3D printer, I created hundreds of rectangular prisms using PLA and ABS printer filaments, and for each of those plastics, the objects' internal structure (of 20% density) was honeycomb, rectilinear, or linear. Using clamps and simple wood test devices, I applied flexure, shear, torsion, and tension stresses to each of the objects and recorded the maximum reading from the fish scale I used to apply the force to the objects. Results The results showed that for both plastics, the honeycomb pattern was able to withstand greater forces than the linear and rectilinear. The experiment also found that PLA filament consistently withstood greater forces than ABS. The prints made with PLA filament with the honeycomb fill pattern were stronger than prints made with other fill patters, except for ABS, with its linear structure being slightly stronger in my flexure tests. Conclusions/Discussion This examination of the behavior of two different 3D printer plastic filaments and three different fill patterns when under a variety of stresses demonstrated that - even when the amount of plastic used in the object's fill is of the same density - a honeycomb pattern tends to provide the greatest strength. Limitations of the software I used for printing - Slic3r and Repetier Host - did not allow it, but I would have liked to try a triangular fill pattern, because I think that would be even stronger than the others. Also, I was gratified to find that the biodegradable PLA plastic actually proved generally stronger than the recyclable but not biodegradable ABS plastic.

Awards (1)

• Honorable Mention

Competition history

• CSEF 2014 Applied Mechanics & Structures · Entry J0314

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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