Mixing 3D Printing and Filament Winding for Better Composite Grooves

You need a super-strong, lightweight groove structure for an industry application. Sounds easy, right? Well, not quite. Traditional methods make this task pretty tricky. This is where a creative mix of 3D printing and filament winding comes into play. We're talking about a groove structure that's not only tough but also light. The challenge is that these structures are hard to make using just one method. So, researchers recently proposed a unique solution: combine 3D printing and filament winding. First, they used filament winding to create the cylinder part of the groove structure. This method is quick and really efficient. Next, they turned to 3D printing to handle the complex ring slots. Printing offers more flexibility in shaping intricate details.They then tested the final structure by slicing off a sample for a short beam test. This test revealed the interlaminar shear strength—how well the layers of the structure stick together. The results were impressive: a strength of 6. 694 MPa at a fiber orientation of 90°, with a heating temperature of 245 °C and a thickness of 0. 5 mm. To see how the structure handles high temperatures, they conducted thermal tests. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), they found some voids and gaps in the failed specimen, which is typical. They also used Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to check performance at high temperatures. The storage modulus dropped by half at 120 °C. This new combination of methods opens up new possibilities for making continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite groove structures. It's a game-changer for those looking for high-performance, lightweight materials.