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Improvement of the layer-layer adhesion in FFF 3D printed PEEK/carbon fibre composites

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Abstract

Improvement of the mechanical properties of FFF 3D printed CF/PEEK composites was achieved by printing under favorable crystallization conditions. It was possible to improve the layer-layer tensile strength more than fivefold from 6.96 MPa to 36.28 MPa by printing in a specially customised, low cost printer operated with a heated print chamber at 230℃. The influence of the chamber temperature on the mechanical and crystalline structure was investigated to determine the best conditions. A maximum flexural modulus of 14 946 MPa and flexural stress at break of 248.9 MPa were achieved. A proof of concept study involved the 3DP of a CF/PEEK mould tooling insert for injection moulding. This insert replaced a costly traditional metal insert to print short production runs of ABS and HIPS polymers. This work offers a low cost and rapid means to produce effective tooling inserts for the injection moulding industry.
Original languageEnglish
Article number106532
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume149
Early online date27 Jun 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Oct 2021

Bibliographical note

© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Funding

The authors would like to thank Invest Northern Ireland for funding of the Competence Centre project entitled Rapid tooling for injection moulding and composite lay-up.

Keywords

  • 3-D Printing
  • Carbon fibres
  • High-temperature properties
  • Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)

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