Page 53 - Plastics News Issue - January 2025
P. 53
PRODUCT NEWS
While PLA-CF outperformed all other materials, Broader Implications
ABS-CF also showed marked improvements over
pure ABS. This enhanced performance demon- This research underscores the potential of car-
strates the value of carbon fiber reinforcement bon fiber-reinforced composites to expand the
in improving the mechanical properties of 3D- utility of 3D-printed materials. By optimizing
printed materials. print orientation and processing parameters,
manufacturers can produce significantly longer
Industrial Applications fatigue-life components, reducing costs and
waste in industrial applications.
The superior mechanical properties of carbon
fiber-reinforced PLA and ABS make them ideal Furthermore, the study highlights the need to
for demanding aerospace, automotive, and ro- continue exploring advanced materials to im-
botics applications. Their lightweight nature and prove sustainability and reliability in 3D-printed
enhanced fatigue resistance enable the creation products. With their impressive performance
of durable yet cost-effective components for characteristics, PLA-CF and ABS-CF pave the
these industries. For example, PLA-CF and ABS- way for more durable and sustainable solutions
CF could be used in parts subjected to repetitive in engineering and manufacturing.
loading, such as gears, frames, or housings.
Source – Plastics Engineering
3D Printing with Recycled Materials
3D printing technology has become increasing-
ly significant in product development due to its
advantages in rapid prototyping, customization,
and cost-effectiveness. It enables the creation
of complex shapes, minimizes material waste,
and accelerates time to market.
Manufacturers utilize various materials such as
plastics, metals, ceramics, and biomaterials, each
offering unique benefits. Acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS) is the most widely used plastic
for 3D printing due to its strength, durability,
and flexibility. People recognize PET as another
sing recycled plastics in 3D printing re- popular material, known for its strength, dura-
duces waste and carbon footprint, of- bility, and low warping during printing. Manufac-
Ufering sustainable solutions such as turers commonly use other polymers like poly-
filaments made from pre-and post-consumer re- carbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) for this
cycled materials. purpose. Researchers have proposed PLA as a
material for 3D printing because it comes from
January 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 53
