Effects of processing conditions on short TLCP fiber reinforced FDM parts

Focuses on preliminary studies on developing thermoplastic composite materials suitable for use in fused deposition modeling (FDM). Looks at thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCPs). Specifically aims to determine the feasibility of post-processing TLCP composite strands generated by means of the dual extrusion process using FDM to enhance the tensile properties and functionality of prototypes. Describes the experiments and gives in-depth results which include the finding that final mechanical properties of a composite prototype can be tailored to a specific application by adjusting the layclown pattern to increase the functionality of the prototype, and that these properties can be predicted by composite theory.