In‐Plane Mechanical Behavior and Anisotropic Response of 3D‐Printed Continuous Basalt Fiber Composites

ABSTRACT 3D printing of continuous fiber‐reinforced composites has a strong potential to improve mechanical performance beyond prototyping or non‐structural uses. Basalt is a natural material with excellent mechanical properties, high impact strength, and good thermal resistance, which has received limited attention in 3D printing. This study focuses on a continuous basalt fiber composite fabricated via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), and the comprehensive characterization includes thermal analysis and in‐plane tensile testing. The final composite shows a longitudinal strength that is remarkably higher than the neat matrix, demonstrating its suitability for structural applications. However, the transverse and shear properties are significantly lower, showing pronounced anisotropy. Anisotropy impacts component design, so optimized continuous fiber deposition is the key to unlocking the full structural potential of 3D‐printed basalt fiber composites.