The Effect of Nozzle Size on the Tensile and Flexural Properties of PLA Parts Fabricated Via FDM

Abstract

The nozzle of a 3D printer extrudes molten filament onto the print surface. The detachable and adjustable nozzle of a 3D printer allows for the printing of lines of varying thickness. This study intends to investigate the effect of nozzle diameter on the tensile and flexural properties of printed specimens. The tensile and flexural specimens were prepared according to ASTM D638 Type 1 and ISO 178, respectively. After specimens were printed with nozzles having diameters of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.8 mm, tensile and flexural tests were conducted using an Instron 5585 machine. Each specimen was printed with 0.2 mm layer thickness, a line pattern, and 100 percent infill. Tensile and flexural behaviors of PLA specimens were comparable, according to the findings. Tensile and flexural strengths increase as nozzle diameter increases, but they are only effective up to a certain diameter. At a nozzle diameter of 0.6 mm, the maximum tensile strength was 33.32 MPa, and at a nozzle diameter of 0.5 mm, the maximum flexural strength was 76.76 MPa. The flexural strength decreases when using nozzles with diameters of 0.6 and 0.8 mm, and the tensile strength decreases when using a nozzle with a larger diameter (0.8 mm). Because the diameter of the nozzle has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of a part, it is crucial to choose the correct nozzle diameter for optimal mechanical properties.