Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite Structure

This study addressed the problem of poor structural toughness of material extrusion-based (MEX) 3D printing polylactic acid (PLA) models and expanded the application of 3D printing technology. A new structural toughness enhancement method was proposed to improve the structural toughness of MEX 3D-pr...

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Main Authors: Chen Wang, Han-yi Huang, Xiaowen Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North Carolina State University 2025-08-01
Series:BioResources
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Online Access:https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24952
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author Chen Wang
Han-yi Huang
Xiaowen Wang
author_facet Chen Wang
Han-yi Huang
Xiaowen Wang
author_sort Chen Wang
collection DOAJ
description This study addressed the problem of poor structural toughness of material extrusion-based (MEX) 3D printing polylactic acid (PLA) models and expanded the application of 3D printing technology. A new structural toughness enhancement method was proposed to improve the structural toughness of MEX 3D-printed models by constructing a rigid shell-flexible infill composite structure. Rectangular specimens were designed using SolidWorks software, and the structural toughness of the rigid specimens and rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were tested using three-point bending test and Charpy impact test. The deflection, bending strain energy, and impact strength of the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were larger than those of the rigid specimens. The enhancement percentages were 103%, 306% and 293%, respectively, indicating that the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens had better structural toughness. In contrast to the conventional material modification methods, the structural toughness enhancement method proposed in this study can maintain the strength and stiffness of 3D-printed models while improving their impact resistance and ductility. The products have unique application value in the fields of smart packaging, sports protective gears, and consumer electronic products.
format Article
id doaj-art-ac5b9d200ca449478d7ee3cc416039b6
institution Kabale University
issn 1930-2126
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher North Carolina State University
record_format Article
series BioResources
spelling doaj-art-ac5b9d200ca449478d7ee3cc416039b62025-08-20T17:36:15ZengNorth Carolina State UniversityBioResources1930-21262025-08-01204894989563316Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite StructureChen Wang0Han-yi Huang1Xiaowen Wang2College of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Jiangsu, China College of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaThis study addressed the problem of poor structural toughness of material extrusion-based (MEX) 3D printing polylactic acid (PLA) models and expanded the application of 3D printing technology. A new structural toughness enhancement method was proposed to improve the structural toughness of MEX 3D-printed models by constructing a rigid shell-flexible infill composite structure. Rectangular specimens were designed using SolidWorks software, and the structural toughness of the rigid specimens and rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were tested using three-point bending test and Charpy impact test. The deflection, bending strain energy, and impact strength of the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were larger than those of the rigid specimens. The enhancement percentages were 103%, 306% and 293%, respectively, indicating that the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens had better structural toughness. In contrast to the conventional material modification methods, the structural toughness enhancement method proposed in this study can maintain the strength and stiffness of 3D-printed models while improving their impact resistance and ductility. The products have unique application value in the fields of smart packaging, sports protective gears, and consumer electronic products.https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24952mex3d printingstructural toughnessrigid shell-flexible infillcomposite structure
spellingShingle Chen Wang
Han-yi Huang
Xiaowen Wang
Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite Structure
BioResources
mex
3d printing
structural toughness
rigid shell-flexible infill
composite structure
title Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite Structure
title_full Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite Structure
title_fullStr Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite Structure
title_full_unstemmed Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite Structure
title_short Structural Toughness Enhancement Method for Material Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Model: A Rigid Shell-Flexible Infill Composite Structure
title_sort structural toughness enhancement method for material extrusion based 3d printed model a rigid shell flexible infill composite structure
topic mex
3d printing
structural toughness
rigid shell-flexible infill
composite structure
url https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24952
work_keys_str_mv AT chenwang structuraltoughnessenhancementmethodformaterialextrusionbased3dprintedmodelarigidshellflexibleinfillcompositestructure
AT hanyihuang structuraltoughnessenhancementmethodformaterialextrusionbased3dprintedmodelarigidshellflexibleinfillcompositestructure
AT xiaowenwang structuraltoughnessenhancementmethodformaterialextrusionbased3dprintedmodelarigidshellflexibleinfillcompositestructure