On flexural and pull out properties of 3D printed PLA based hybrid composite matrix

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) has been widely explored for number of commercially available virgin thermoplastics (such as: poly lactic acid (PLA), nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) etc), thermoplastic based composites and printing conditions. But hitherto little has been reported on flexural and pull-out properties of 3D printed PLA based hybrid composite matrix (having magnetostrictive properties) especially in structural engineering applications. In the present work an effort has been made for 3D printing of PLA hybrid composite matrix (having magnetic characteristics) to investigate the flexural and pull out properties. The photo micro-graphic analysis and Shore D hardness has been performed on the printed samples and multifactor optimization tool has been used for optimizing the printing conditions. From multifactor optimization viewpoint it has been ascertained that infill density 100%; infill angle 45 degrees; and infill speed 90 mm s(-1) are the best printing conditions. Further from morphological testing it has been observed that mechanical properties (flexural and pull out) are dependent upon the hardness, surface porosity and surface roughness (Ra). The creo structural analysis supported with photomicrographs have been performed on the samples prepared at best setting of input parameters and it has been found that strain increases downward along the thickness and is maximum at lowest layer due to which the failure starts from the base line in flexural testing.