Development of a High Strength Polymeric Composite Material Using 3D-Printing and Vacuum Impregnation Technology

Abstract

This paper offers a method for increasing the strength of FDM 3D printed parts by impregnation in a vacuum chamber in an environment of an epoxy compound with a long lifetime. We investigate the impact of the duration of impregnation and the internal geometry of the part being impregnated on the impregnation degree, expressed in the absence of cavities inside the material. The experimental samples are cylinders made of PLA plastic, the impregnation is carried out in an epoxy resin-based compound with PEPA hardener. The use of this strengthening technology may be useful for expanding the scope of FDM 3D printing from prototyping, being currently the most common application, to manufacturing parts for actually functional structures, which, unlike prototypes, carry load while in use, and therefore need increased strength.