Parametric Study and Optimization of Key Factors Influencing the Tensile Mechanical Performance of PLA Printed through Material Extrusion

Abstract

This research aims to characterize and optimize the tensile strength and stiffness of polymer components intended for personal protective equipment, industrial applications, and customized medical devices. The study utilizes extrusion-based additive manufacturing, specifically polymer material extrusion technology, to produce these components using polylactic acid (PLA) material. The specimens are manufactured based on selected process parameters, including infill pattern, infill density, and extrusion temperature, which are adjusted across three different levels. The mechanical experiments are designed according to the L9 orthogonal array and the design of experiments technique (DoE). The optimization process and prediction models are developed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression approach. In addition, tensile specimens are examined for their fracture mechanisms using an optical microscope. To further validate the experimental results, finite element analysis simulations using ANSYS Workbench software are performed and contrasted with the experimental tensile tests.