Effects of Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Polylactic Acid (Pla+)

Effects of Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Polylactic Acid (Pla+)

Dr. I. Sri Phani Sushma, Assistant Professor & I/C Head of Mechanical Engineering, UCEN- JNTUK, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District – 522601.

Dr. G. Sulochana, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, UCEN-JNTUK, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District – 522601.

M. Ganesh, Final year student (2021-2025) of Mechanical Engineering, UCEN-JNTUK, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District – 522601.

Y. Surya Naga Durga Vara Prasad, Final year student (2021-2025) of Mechanical Engineering, UCEN-JNTUK, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District – 522601.

D. Surya Vardhan, Final year student (2021-2025) of Mechanical Engineering, UCEN-JNTUK, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District – 522601.

B. Jashwanth, Final year student (2021-2025) of Mechanical Engineering, UCEN-JNTUK, Narasaraopet, Palnadu District – 522601.

ABSTRACT
This present study investigated how heat treatment affects the mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLA+ by manipulating two parameters: heating temperature and holding time. The mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLA+ components are crucial for assessing their structural integrity and performance.

Annealing can improve the internal structure and mechanical characteristics of 3D-printed objects made from PLA+. Heat treatment is an appropriate method to remove the porosity defect because the air gaps in the material are filled with itself when it melts at high temperatures during this process. The research explores changes in flexural strength, creep resistance, tensile and compressive strength before and after subjecting PLA+ samples to controlled annealing conditions. The findings aim to enhance the understanding of heat treatment as a method to improve the performance of 3D-printed PLA+ components.

KEYWORDS
3D-Printing; Polylactic acid (PLA+); Heat treatment; Heating temperature; Holding time; Flexural strength; Tensile strength; Hardness; Impact resistance; Compressive strength.