Embedding 3D Printed Filaments with Knitted Textiles: Investigation of Bonding Parameters

Abstract

The advancements in additive manufacturing technology and new materials paved the way for 3D printed textile-like structures. However, achieving the comfort and fit of traditional textiles and joining of the 3D printed segments have been challenging. Embedding 3D printed polymers with textiles using fused deposition modeling offers possibilities for innovative hybrid structures and end-products without compromising on the flexibility and unique qualities of the traditional textiles. This study investigates 3D printing of flexible thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer and rigid polylactic acid filaments on polyester and polyamide knitted textiles, and on laminated neoprene textiles. Perpendicular and shear tensile strength are tested before and after washing the samples manufactured by direct deposition of different filaments onto different textiles in multiple 3D forms. Results show that TPU filament is compatible with all textile surfaces and neoprene shows the best adhesion with all filament types before and after washing.

Functionalization of Woven Fabrics by 3d Printed Structures in Fused Filament Fabrication (Fff): Effects of Infill Patterns on Tensile Strength

“…The flexibility in the production, enables to produce of complex structures and ease of use increased the popularity of AM in many fields. After the first introduction of AM in the 1970s [1], many different techniques were developed and the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) [2], reported in [3], are grouped available AM processes into 7 categories as VAT photopolymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, powder bed fusion, sheet lamination, direct energy deposition, material extrusion. The meet of AM with the textile industry is not totally new but has an increasing popularity in recent years [1,4].…”

“…The meet of AM with the textile industry is not totally new but has an increasing popularity in recent years [1,4]. Utilization of the flexible and simple production technique of AM with textile structures, reducing the waste production and sustainability in 3D printing technology lead to the development of many new products from the fashion industry to technical textiles [1,3,4]. The main types of 3D printed technologies that are used in the textile context are grouped as fused deposition modeling (FDM) under the material extrusion category, selective laser sintering (SLS) under the powder bed fusion category, and stereolithography (SLA) under the VAT polymerization category [3,4].…”

“…Utilization of the flexible and simple production technique of AM with textile structures, reducing the waste production and sustainability in 3D printing technology lead to the development of many new products from the fashion industry to technical textiles [1,3,4]. The main types of 3D printed technologies that are used in the textile context are grouped as fused deposition modeling (FDM) under the material extrusion category, selective laser sintering (SLS) under the powder bed fusion category, and stereolithography (SLA) under the VAT polymerization category [3,4]. Between these technologies, FDM, also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is the most widely used technology and produces 3D printed structures as deposition of the heated thermoplastic polymer through the nozzle that moves horizontally to heated printing bed [1,3,5].…”

“…The main types of 3D printed technologies that are used in the textile context are grouped as fused deposition modeling (FDM) under the material extrusion category, selective laser sintering (SLS) under the powder bed fusion category, and stereolithography (SLA) under the VAT polymerization category [3,4]. Between these technologies, FDM, also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is the most widely used technology and produces 3D printed structures as deposition of the heated thermoplastic polymer through the nozzle that moves horizontally to heated printing bed [1,3,5]. In the other 3D printing technology with the textile application, SLA, is used for fabric-like stiffness structures and comprises components as photopolymer resin tank, the moving platform into the resin tank, the UV light, and computer-controlled laser [1,4].…”

“…There are also some studies that use different polymers for combining 3D printed parts with textile structures. Goncu-Berk et al [3], printed 3D structures using flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer, and PLA on polyester and polyamide knitted fabrics and on laminated neoprene textiles. The study concluded that TPU filament is the most compatible with all fabrics and the greatest adhesion was observed for laminated neoprene fabrics.…”