Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of 3D printed enset fiber reinforced tough 1500 resin composite

Advancements in 3D printing have transformed industries such as aerospace, machinery, electronics, healthcare, etc., with stereolithography apparatus (SLA), which is playing a significant role in fabricating parts from composites. Among the materials used in SLA, tough 1500 resin is renowned for its exceptional toughness and flexibility, though it has been primarily studied in its neat form or with synthetic additives. In response to the mounting environmental concerns of synthetic materials, there is a rising interest in developing sustainable composites by incorporating natural fibers that are renewable, yet reinforcing the composites using natural fibers in SLA photopolymer resins remains limited. This study explores the potential that fibers from enset as a natural reinforcement in Tough 1500 resin composites. The samples were printed with fiber loadings of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 5% by weight, and their physical and mechanical properties were examined. The fractured surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, while a universal testing machine was used to test the tensile, flexural, and compression strength of the samples. The optimum fiber loading (3 wt%) improved the compressive, flexural, and tensile strength by 22.14%, 12.14%, and 19.62%, respectively. Moreover, the resin reinforced its structure and distributed the stress more effectively. The water absorption increased with a higher fiber content, owing to the presence of polar functional groups, which allow natural fibers to readily absorb water. These findings recommend that enset fiber-reinforced tough 1500 resin composites are suitable for moderate-load applications, provided that fiber loading and SLA processing parameters are carefully optimized for mechanical performance and moisture resistance.