Analysis of Correlation Between Contrast and Component of Polylatic Acid Composite for Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing.

Additive manufacturing or three-dimensional (3D) printing is considered a disruptive technology for producing components with topologically optimized complex geometries as well as functionalities that are not achievable by traditional methods. 3D printing is expected to revolutionize the manufacturing of components. While several 3D printing systems are available, printing based on fused-deposition modeling (FDM) using thermoplastics is particularly widespread because of the simplicity and potential applicability of the method. In this study, we report the analysis of correlation between contrast and component of polylactic acid (PLA) based composite for FDM 3D printing. The pre-fabricated white composite and black composite were mixed in the fraction of 100:0, 90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100% (v/v) and the obtained mixture was extruded using HX-35 3D filament extrusion line. The samples in different contrast were printed in disk like shape, and the gray scale filaments and 3D printed samples were measured the morphology and components using a field emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The CIE-lab values of the samples were measured using a colorimeter and the correlation between CIE-lab values and the components were analyzed. Although the component of Ti was linearly increased, the CIE-lab values show a clear exponential increase by increasing the white composite.