Additively manufactured 3D short carbon fiber scaffold for thermoset composites

• DOI: 10.1557/s43579-024-00548-1
• Publication Date: 2024-03-26T17:02:54Z
• Authors: Chunyan Zhang; Kelvin Fu
• Keywords: Thermosetting polymer

Abstract Short-fiber-reinforced polymer composites offer advantages, like flexibility in complex geometries and cost-effectiveness, but typically exhibit lower mechanical properties because of the random orientation short fibers. In this work, a novel process utilizing shear force to create 3D scaffold with customized fiber alignment for manufacturing carbon fibers (SCF)-reinforced thermoset has been presented. The Computed tomography test confirmed SCF along printing directions. results demonstrate that aligned SCF-reinforced epoxy exhibited 190% improvement tensile strength 388% modulus compared neat epoxy. Graphical abstract