Improving Mechanical Characteristics of Polyamide Through Varying Weight Percentages of Carbon Fiber Composites for Fused Deposition Modeling

The polyamide composites employed in fused deposition modeling (FDM), enhance the structural integrity and durability of printed parts. This study focuses on the assessment of polyamide 6 (PA6) composites with varying levels of carbon fiber reinforcement (10, 20, and 30 wt%) incorporated into the PA6 matrix. Test samples were prepared by using FDM significant parametric conditions successfully. Samples were taken for mechanical property evaluations, including hardness, impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength, were conducted for both the PA6 matrix filled with carbon fiber and unfilled pure PA6 matrix. The research findings indicate that the presence of carbon fibers in the matrix significantly enhances the mechanical properties of PA6 carbon fiber composites. When compared to samples with different weight percentages, the 30 wt% carbon fiber PA6 filament exhibited a Shore D hardness value of 80.3, impact strength of 55.2 J/m, tensile strength of 179.5 MPa, and flexural strength of 211.6 MPa. Furthermore, the fracture surface of this sample displayed more and deeper dimples compared to the others, as evident from SEM morphology. The carbon fibers are known for their high tensile strength and stiffness, enhancing the overall rigidity of the composite material. The interlocking structure formed by the carbon fibers within the PA6 matrix leads to increased hardness and impact resistance. Additionally, the introduction of carbon fibers improves the load-bearing capacity, resulting in enhanced tensile and flexural strength. Recommended applications for these enhanced PA6 carbon fiber composites include the production of structural components through FDM in the automotive and aerospace industries, where lightweight materials with superior mechanical performance are crucial.