Analysis of the influence of polylactic acid (PLA) colour on FDM 3D printing temperature and part finishing
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 16 October 2018
Issue publication date: 14 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the effect of different polylactic acid (PLA) colours used on fused deposition modelling (FDM), considering the product finishing quality produced with the same process conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology adopted was to design a virtual modelling object and three-dimensional (3D) print it with FDM with different PLA colours (natural, green and black), using the same parameters. 3D scanning and scanning electron microscopy was used to analyse the model finishing of each sample. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to characterize the material and verify if the colour affected its thermal behaviour.
Findings
Findings showed that different PLA colours lead to distinct 3D printed finishings under the same process conditions. Thermal analysis showed a reason for the printing finishing difference. The degradation temperatures and the glass temperatures vary depending on the PLA colour. This affects the FDM working temperature.
Originality/value
This study will contribute to improving the finishing quality of 3D printed products by collaborating to the determination of its process conditions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Brazilian Research Agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.
Citation
Soares, J.B., Finamor, J., Silva, F.P., Roldo, L. and Cândido, L.H. (2018), "Analysis of the influence of polylactic acid (PLA) colour on FDM 3D printing temperature and part finishing", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 24 No. 8, pp. 1305-1316. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-09-2017-0177
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited