• Wang, Lu
  Advanced Structures and Composites Center and School of Forest Resources, University of Maine
  
• Gardner, Douglas J.
  Advanced Structures and Composites Center and School of Forest Resources, University of Maine
  

Fused layer modeling (FLM) or fused deposition modeling (FDM) can be used to produce polymer components with a cellular structure. The existence of cells (voids) in FLM parts degrades mechanical properties. This study was done to understand the influence of two printing parameters, layer height (0.1 mm and 0.3 mm) and extrusion temperature (200 C and 250 C), on the Izod impact strength of polypropylene (PP). Morphological analysis showed that smaller layer height and higher extrusion temperature generally resulted in smaller cell size but larger cell density. Printed PP components were lighter than injection molded PP parts. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed that both a and b type crystals existed in printed PP. PP printed at 250 C had lower impact strength while components printed at 200 C had similar impact strength to injection molded PP.