Feasibility study to control fiber distribution for enhancement of composite properties via three-dimensional printing

ABSTRACT

The distribution of fibers in the composite (which takes into account both their locations and orientations) is one of the important factors that affect the mechanical properties of FRCs. However, this parameter depends on various factors during composite fabrication, and controlling the distribution of fibers in the produced material represents a significant challenge. In this study, the applicability of three-dimensional (3D) printing technique for controlling fiber distributions was evaluated. The fibers fabricated using a 3D printer were placed inside a mold to produce cementitious composites. Three-point bending tests were conducted and the results of the experiment were discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Composite materials
• Composite property
• Fiber-reinforced composite
• 3D printing
• Fiber distribution

Additional information

Funding

This work represents an ongoing research study supported by the EDISON (Education-research Integration through Simulation On the Net) Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (grant No. NRF-2014M3C1A6038855) and also supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (No. 20174030201480).