Mechanical properties of parts fabricated with additive manufacturing: A review of mechanical properties of fused filament fabrication parts

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technologies are in constant development since their emergence in the late 80s. However, standardization is still in its infancy, owing to the numerous changing variables in each process. One of the most common are the material extrusion process, in which thermoplastic is extruded, also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF). The popularity of this process is due to the relatively simple method as well as the relatively good mechanical properties of the fabricated parts. There are numerous research studies evaluating mechanical properties because the FFF process allows for the investigation of many variables and the production of many parts with a wide range of characteristics. But how good are those characteristics in reality, and how good do we need them to be? It all depends on the application for which those parts are required.