Analyzing the impact response of 3D printed polymeric nanocomposites

Additive manufacturing using 3D printing offers new opportunities for producing polymeric nanocomposites with tailored mechanical performance, yet the impact response of such materials remains highly sensitive to printing parameters. This study investigates how the adjustment of key process variables influences the impact behavior of carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) specimens. Printable filaments were first produced from polymeric matrices reinforced with CNTs, and test specimens were subsequently printed. A design of experiments was conducted using the Taguchi method to systematically vary seven parameters: printing angle, printing speed, infill density, layer thickness, bed temperature, infill pattern, and CNT content. The specimens were subjected to Charpy impact testing, and the results were statistically analyzed. To integrate both mechanical performance and production efficiency, a performance index was defined to evaluate the relative influence of each parameter. The analysis revealed that layer thickness, infill density, and printing speed exert the greatest effect on impact response, while printing angle, infill pattern, and bed temperature contribute minimally. The optimal combination of parameters was identified to maximize impact absorption while reducing material consumption.