Effects of Fused Deposition Modeling Process Parameters Infill Pattern, Layer Thickness, and Printing Temperature on the Tensile Properties and Surface Roughness of 3D-Printed Polylactic Acid

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-6-2026

Department

College of Computing

Abstract

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) offers an affordable and accessible approach to additive manufacturing, making it suitable for everyday use. The thermoplastic polyester polylactide (PLA) has gained significant attention in recent years for applications in medical devices, injection molding, and additive manufacturing. However, further research is needed to optimize processing parameters and enhance the properties of the final products. This study aims to investigate the strength and surface roughness of 3D-printed PLA created through additive manufacturing using the FDM technique. The influence of infill pattern, nozzle temperature, and layer thickness on the mechanical properties and surface roughness of 3D-printed parts was evaluated. The results determined that the mechanical strength is heavily affected by the infill pattern, such that the octet infill pattern resulted in the highest strength, while the trihexagonal infill pattern resulted in the lowest strength. It was observed that varying the printing temperature from 195 to 220 °C in 5 °C increments had a notable effect on tensile mechanical strength, resulting in an increase in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) from 38 MPa to 47 MPa. Additionally, the specimens with a 0.25 mm layer thickness exhibited the highest tensile strength with a value of 48 MPa, while those with a 0.38 mm layer thickness showed the lowest tensile strength with a value of 42.5 MPa. The difference in UTS between these two thicknesses was less than 13%. The printing temperature also influenced surface roughness; the highest roughness was recorded at 215 °C compared to the other temperatures. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between infill patterns and mechanical performance, contributing to the optimization of additive manufacturing processes for improved structural integrity.

Publication Title

Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance

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