Table of Content
Overview
Continuous fiber reinforcement is the key to achieving higher strength
The resin or matrix holding the fiber should have no voids and is not more than 35-38% of the structure
Either high voids or lower percentage reduces the performance exponentially
Fiber Placement: Works by pulling strips of fiber-plastic tapes and pressing it onto a predefined simple shape.
Fiber Printing: Extruding the filament through a heated nozzle in X-Y layers to create a highly complex shape.
Pure polymer printing: Extruding thermoset or thermoplastic plastic through a heated nozzle in X-Y layers to create a highly complex shape.
Hybridization: A combination of fiber placement and fiber printing applied to the manufacturing process
The best place to use each approach
Fiber
Composites typically comprise a polymer material and a reinforcing material, like continuous fiber. The composite material offers higher strength and stiffness compared to non-reinforced polymers due to the presence of fiber, the polymer plays the role of the stress distribution medium. Continuous fiber ensures the load is distributed across the length without a weak point.