3D PRINTED POLYMER CORE AND CARBON FIBER SKIN SANDWICH COMPOSITE : AN ALTERNATIF MATERIAL AND PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES CUSTOMIZATION
Muhammad Ridlwan (a*), Faisal Arif Nurgesang (b), Rahmat Riza (c) and Nur Muhammad Syafi^i (d)

a) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic University of Indonesia
Jalan Kaliurang KM14, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
*ridlwanm[at]uii.ac.id
b,c,d) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic University of Indonesia
Jalan Kaliurang KM14, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Polymer 3D Printing technology can get product geometry quickly, make products in small quantities (< 10 pieces) and make products with a high degree of geometry complexity, but the mechanical properties are relatively low. Composite technology is a manufacturing technology that can produce products with relatively large dimensions ( >1000 mm) with high strength-weight ratio material that can be designed according to its application. In large-dimensional composite products, to add to their bending rigidity properties, a core layer such as a honeycomb is used, referred to as a sandwich composite.

The manufacture of composite products is small in numbers, such as product modification or customization, to turn the design into a real product this composite process is relatively expensive, both in terms of material, labor, and processing time. The process begins with designing, then making patterns, followed by making molds, fabricating products, and finishing.

The results of tensile and bending tests of sandwich composites with 3D printing product cores in this study showed that these mechanical properties were influenced by polymer resin and reinforcing fibers type, as well as the mechanical properties of the core, namely the type of filament polymer, core dimensions, and the parameters of the 3D printing process. The tensile strength of sandwich composite is significantly influenced by the tensile strength of the skin. As for the bending resistance, it is influenced by the role of rigidity of the core. Considering the advantages of geometry complexity ability of 3D Printing technology and the advantages of mechanical properties flexibility of composite, 3D printed polymer core sandwich composites are suitable for modification or customization of electric vehicle components.

Keywords: sandwich composite, 3d printed core, carbon fiber

Topic: Lightweight Structure