Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Mechanical Behavior of 3D-Printed Carbon Fiber-Reinforced PLA Composites

This study investigates the impact of optimized Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) parameters and post-process heat treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and dimensional properties of carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid (CF-PLA). Tensile, compressive, and flexural tests were conducted on samples annealed at three different temperatures (80°C, 100°C, and 120°C) with varying holding times (30, 60, and 90 minutes). The mechanical performance was analyzed, and fracture morphology was inspected using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Results demonstrated significant improvements, particularly in HTPLA, with enhanced inter-layer bonding and reduced voids. FESEM analysis confirmed these observations, highlighting structural differences in fracture surfaces. These findings provide insights into optimizing post-processing conditions for improving the strength of CF-PLA composites, making them suitable for load-bearing applications.