Tensile characteristics of metal filled 3D printed PLA based polymer composites

This study examines the effect of steel particle reinforcement on the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) composites manufactured using fused deposition modelling (FDM). The study aims to determine how steel powder integration improves the material's performance for engineering applications. Microstructural characterization was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), with twin screw extrusion ensuring a uniform blend of PLA and steel powder. The homogenised mixture was then used to 3D print specimens for tensile strength testing, and the significance of the results was determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

The findings show that adding steel powder results in uniformly formed composite filaments that benefit from optimised extrusion temperatures and faster heating. Mechanical qualities were significantly improved, especially as the steel powder content was increased from zero to twenty weight percent. This development demonstrates the ability of steel powder to greatly increase the performance of PLA composites. The study emphasises the usefulness of steel powder as a reinforcing material, suggesting a means to improve the mechanical performance of metal-filled polymer composites.