Research on Effects of FDM Process Parameters on Mechanical Properties of Polylactic Acid Based on Orthogonal Experiments

Using polylactic acid (PLA) filament as the printing material for fused deposition modeling (FDM), and tensile and bending strength as optimization indexes, the influence of four process parameters, printing speed, layer thickness, nozzle temperature, and raster angle, on mechanical properties of PLA specimens in FDM are investigated by orthogonal experiments. The mechanical responses of the printed specimens are explored through tensile and three-point bending tests. Range analysis method is used to investigate the effects of various process parameters on mechanical properties. The optimal combination of printing parameters is obtained through comprehensive evaluation method and comprehensive scoring method, and the correctness of the results is experimentally verified. The optimal process parameters are h=0.1mm, t=210 ℃, v=40 mm/s, and θ= 45°/-45°, and the corresponding tensile strength and bending strength are 26.34MPa and 41.54MPa, respectively.