OPTIMIZING HEATED CHAMBER TEMPERATURE FOR TENSILE PERFORMANCE IN FDM‑PRINTED PLA

Abstract

Thermal conditions during fused deposition modeling (FDM) play a critical role in determining the mechanical performance of polylactic acid (PLA), particularly due to rapid cooling and weak interlayer bonding. This study investigates the influence of a controlled heated chamber environment on the tensile behaviour of PLA printed using a desktop FDM system. Tensile specimens were fabricated under four chamber conditions: ambient (non‑heated), 40°C, 50°C, and 60°C, and tested in accordance with ASTM D638 Type IV. The results indicate that moderate chamber temperatures of 40°C and 50°C produce a consistent improvement in tensile strength compared to ambient conditions, with the highest performance observed at 40°C. In contrast, specimens printed at 60°C exhibit reduced tensile strength, indicating the onset of thermal softening. Although the improvement is modest, it reflects enhanced process stability and interlayer consolidation. Overall, the findings establish a practical thermal window of 40–50°C for improving tensile performance in desktop FDM systems, providing a useful baseline for future studies on virgin, recycled, and modified thermoplastic materials.