An investigation of combined effect of infill pattern, density, and layer thickness on mechanical properties of 3D printed ABS by fused filament fabrication

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technology and its benefits have a significant impact on different industrial applications. The 3D printing technologies help manufacture lightweight intricate geometrical designs with enhanced strengths. The present study investigates the blended effects of previously recommended parameters of different infill patterns (line, triangle, and concentric) and infill densities (75, 80, and 85%) with varying thicknesses of layers (100, 200, and 300 μm). The test samples were created through Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) 3D printing. Mechanical properties were evaluated through tensile and impact strength tests conducted in accordance with ASTM standards. The experimental investigation reveals that the infill pattern greatly affected both tensile and impact strength. The best results were obtained with a concentric infill pattern, along with 80% infill density and 100 μm layer thickness. These conditions resulted in 123% and 115% higher tensile strength and 168% and 80% higher impact strength compared to line and triangle patterns, respectively.