The impact of print direction on mechanical characteristics of OBE (Olefin Block Elastomer) polymer fabricated by Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is investigated in this study. OBE possesses characteristics of both a polymer and an elastomer, which depend on its specified orientation. With constant FDM process parameters, the OBE samples were fabricated with three directional orientation formations based on the X, Y, and Z axis directions, and their mechanical behaviour, such as tensile strength, Shore D hardness, flexural strength, and impact strength, was recorded. The results demonstrated that the orientation formation in the FDM technique significantly influenced the ductile characteristics of FDM-OBE materials. The improved filament arrangement and inter-layer formation of X-oriented specimens exhibit enhanced mechanical properties. In contrast, Z-oriented samples displayed the lowest performance, attributed to weaker inter-layer adhesion and higher susceptibility to delamination. Additionally, fractography analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was achieved to apprehend the failure mechanisms. The result shows that specimens printed in different orientations perform strong anisotropy in their mechanical properties. This emphasises that the printing strategies for FDM-printed parts are directly influenced by the printing orientation.
KumarSSinghRSinghT, et al.Fused filament fabrication: a comprehensive review. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2023; 36: 794–814.
2.
AciernoDPattiA. Fused deposition modelling (FDM) of thermoplastic-based filaments: process and rheological properties—an overview. Materials2023; 16: 7664.
3.
PatelSGuptaSSaketH, et al.Effect of infill pattern on the mechanical properties of PLA and ABS specimens prepared by FDM 3D printing. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part E J Process Mech Eng. DOI: 10.1177/09544089241258744, Epub ahead of print 11 June 2024.
4.
ZaldivarRJWitkinDBMcLouthT, et al.Influence of processing and orientation print effects on the mechanical and thermal behavior of 3D-Printed ULTEM® 9085 material. Addit Manuf2017; 13: 71–80.
5.
SoundararajanRKaviyarasanKSathishkumarA, et al.Evaluating the impact of post-processing on the wear and friction properties of polyamide 6 carbon fiber composites produced by fused deposition modeling. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part E J Process Mech Eng. DOI: 10.1177/09544089241300001, Epub ahead of print 19 November 2024.
6.
RajaSJayalakshmiMRushoMA, et al.Fused deposition modeling process parameter optimization on the development of graphene enhanced polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Sci Rep2024; 14: 30744.
7.
Naveen KumarCVenkatesanS. A review on the fused deposition modelling of fibre-reinforced polymer composites: influence of process parameters, pre-processing and post processing techniques. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part L J Mater Des Appl2024; 238: 2096–2119.
8.
CantrellJTRohdeSDamianiD, et al.Experimental characterization of the mechanical properties of 3D-printed ABS and polycarbonate parts. Rapid Prototyp J2017; 23: 811–824.
9.
AhnSMonteroMOdellD, et al.Anisotropic material properties of fused deposition modeling ABS. Rapid Prototyp J2002; 8: 248–257.
10.
ZiemianCSharmaMZiemiS. Anisotropic mechanical properties of ABS parts fabricated by fused deposition modelling. In: Mechanical Engineering. InTech. Epub ahead of print 11 2012. DOI: 10.5772/34233.
11.
LeeCSKimSGKimHJ, et al.Measurement of anisotropic compressive strength of rapid prototyping parts. J Mater Process Technol2007; 187–188: 627–630.
12.
ChacónJMCamineroMAGarcía-PlazaE, et al.Additive manufacturing of PLA structures using fused deposition modelling: effect of process parameters on mechanical properties and their optimal selection. Mater Des2017; 124: 143–157.
13.
KarthickNSoundararajanRArulR, et al.Evolution of tribological performance of polypropylene with carbon fibre composites fabricated through FDM technology by varying infill density. J Inst Eng Ser D2024; 105: 961–968.
14.
Fernandez-VicenteMCalleWFerrandizS, et al.Effect of infill parameters on tensile mechanical behavior in desktop 3D printing. 3D Print Addit Manuf2016; 3: 183–192.
15.
TymrakBMKreigerMPearceJM. Mechanical properties of components fabricated with open-source 3-D printers under realistic environmental conditions. Mater Des2014; 58: 242–246.
16.
SoodAKOhdarRKMahapatraSS. Parametric appraisal of mechanical property of fused deposition modelling processed parts. Mater Des2010; 31: 287–295.
17.
AnithaRArunachalamSRadhakrishnanP. Critical parameters influencing the quality of prototypes in fused deposition modelling. J Mater Process Technol2001; 118: 385–388.
18.
MahmoodSQureshiAJGohKL, et al.Tensile strength of partially filled FFF printed parts: experimental results. Rapid Prototyp J2017; 23: 122–128.
19.
DurgunIErtanR. Experimental investigation of FDM process for improvement of mechanical properties and production cost. Rapid Prototyp J2014; 20: 228–235.
20.
KarthickNSathishkumarAKaviyarasanK, et al.Tribological analysis of annealed and laser-treated polyamide 6 reinforced with glass fibre composites fabricated by FDM technology. Lasers Manuf Mater Process. DOI: 10.1007/s40516-025-00309-5, Epub ahead of print 28 August 2025.
21.
TorradoARShemelyaCMEnglishJD, et al.Characterizing the effect of additives to ABS on the mechanical property anisotropy of specimens fabricated by material extrusion 3D printing. Addit Manuf2015; 6: 16–29.
22.
SharveshRBabuMSoundararajanR. Appraisal of mechanical and tribological behaviour of polyamide 6 with carbon fibre-filled composites fabricated through fused deposition modelling. J Inst Eng Ser. DOI: 10.1007/s40033-024-00735-3, Epub ahead of print 17 April 2024.
23.
WengZWangJSenthilT, et al.Mechanical and thermal properties of ABS/montmorillonite nanocomposites for fused deposition modeling 3D printing. Mater Des2016; 102: 276–283.
24.
SomireddyMCzekanskiASinghCV. Development of constitutive material model of 3D printed structure via FDM. Mater Today Commun2018; 15: 143–152.
25.
RodríguezJFThomasJPRenaudJE. Mechanical behavior of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) fused deposition materials. Experimental investigation. Rapid Prototyp J2001; 7: 148–158.
26.
BilgeKJavanshourFRahemanAB, et al.A comparative fractographic analysis for the effect of polymeric nanofiber reinforcements on the tensile behavior of multi‐layered epoxy nanocomposites. Polym Eng Sci2025; 65: 2343–2352.
27.
SharmaPSharmaSP. Performance analysis of <scp>CFRP</scp> composite interface engineered with bioactive polymer‐supported <scp>ZnO</scp> nanoflakes coating for improved bending strength. Polym Compos. DOI: 10.1002/pc.70352, Epub ahead of print 27 August 2025.
28.
WangXLiXLiZ, et al.Superior strength, toughness, and damage‐tolerance observed in microlattices of aperiodic unit cells. Small; 20. DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307369, Epub ahead of print 6 June 2024.
