title: Three-dimensional printing of continuous-fiber composites by in-nozzle impregnation.
abstract: We have developed a method for the three-dimensional (3D) printing of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics based on fused-deposition modeling. The technique enables direct 3D fabrication without the use of molds and may become the standard next-generation composite fabrication methodology. A thermoplastic filament and continuous fibers were separately supplied to the 3D printer and the fibers were impregnated with the filament within the heated nozzle of the printer immediately before printing. Polylactic acid was used as the matrix while carbon fibers, or twisted yarns of natural jute fibers, were used as the reinforcements. The thermoplastics reinforced with unidirectional jute fibers were examples of plant-sourced composites; those reinforced with unidirectional carbon fiber showed mechanical properties superior to those of both the jute-reinforced and unreinforced thermoplastics. Continuous fiber reinforcement improved the tensile strength of the printed composites relative to the values shown by conventional 3D-printed polymer-based composites.
authors.affiliation: Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.affiliation: Nihon University, 1-8-14 Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-8308, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.affiliation: Nihon University, 1-8-14 Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-8308, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Namiki
authors.affiliation: Nihon University, 1-8-14 Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-8308, Japan.
authors.forename: Tae-Kun
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Nihon University, 1-8-14 Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-8308, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirosuke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asahara
authors.affiliation: Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horiguchi
authors.affiliation: Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Taishi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 O-okayama, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todoroki
authors.affiliation: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 6-13-1 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0015, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiyasu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirano