Investigation of the Effect of Infill Parameters on the Mechanical Behavior of Sandwich Structures Fabricated via Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Abstract

This study focuses on the investigation of infill patterns and their influence on the mechanical behavior of sandwich structures fabricated using the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technique. Polylactic Acid (PLA) was chosen as the primary material, known for its favorable mechanical properties and biodegradability. Six different infill patterns, including Cubic, Line, Triangular, Trihexagonal, Octet, and Gyroid, were employed to fabricate sandwich structures with varying infill densities (20%, 30%, and 40%). The samples were subjected to edgewise compressive strength tests, and the force-displacement curves were analyzed to evaluate the performance of the structures. The results revealed that the Cubic infill pattern exhibited superior strength in all infill densities, while other patterns showed variations in performance. Moreover, the analysis of damage types indicated different failure modes, such as core shear and facesheet buckling, depending on the infill pattern and density. These findings contribute to understanding the role of infill patterns in enhancing the mechanical properties of sandwich structures fabricated via FDM.