Mechanism and Performance of 3D Printing and Recycling for Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced PLA Composites

Abstract

Fiber reinforced polymer composites have excellent properties of light weight and high performance. However, most of conventional manufacturing processes have the disadvantages of high cost, complex process and difficult recycling, having limited wide applications of composites. A novel 3D printed continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTPCs) is presented as well as its recycling and remanufacturing strategy. The interconnections between the forming process and interface performance and mechanical properties of parts are studied. The flexural strength and modulus of carbon fiber reinforced PLA composite (CF/PLA) are about 390 MPa and 30.8 GPa respectively, and the process is low lost, simple and rapid. The recycling and remanufactuing strategy is proposed without any pollution generation, with a high material recovery rate of 75%, and with reprinted specimens 25% improvement of flexural strength than original, which is efficient, non-downgrade and green. An end of life composite application method will be set up by combining CFRTPCs process with its recycling and remanufacuring process.