Additive manufacturing has revolutionised the field of manufacturing, allowing for the production of complex geometries with high precision and accuracy. One of the most promising applications of additive manufacturing is in the production of composites, which are materials made by combining two or more substances with different properties to achieve specific functional characteristics. In recent years, the use of Continuous Filament Fabrication (CFF) in additive manufacturing has become increasingly popular due to its ability to produce high-quality composite parts which have fibres with a complex orientation and high curvature. This paper aims to investigate the influence of fill pattern and stacking sequence on the open-hole tensile strength of composites manufactured using CFF and made of an innovative matrix composed of nylon and short carbon fibres, i.e., Onyx, and with continuous carbon fibre as reinforcement. By systematically varying the fill pattern and stacking sequence, we aim to identify the optimal combination that can achieve the highest open-hole tensile strength in these composites. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the design and manufacture of high-strength composites using additive manufacturing. Open-hole strength and elastic properties are strongly influenced by the infill strategy and stacking sequences adopted, and show different failure modes. The results also point out a technological issue characterising the process and indicate some guidelines for designing and manufacturing 3D printing composites.
Keywords: 3D printing; CFF; additive manufacturing; composites; continuous fibre; continuous filament fabrication; mechanical characterisation; onyx; open hole.