Carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) can be stronger and lighter than metals and can be increasingly produced through 3D printing. However, there is lack of databases for properties of 3D-printed CFRP which makes it challenging to optimise the strength, weight, and cost of 3D-printed parts made of CFRP.

This project addresses this research gap by conducting bending tests, tensile tests, and scanning electron microscope imaging to investigate the effects of fiber orientation, placement, and volume fraction on strength of 3D-printed parts made of CFRP. The results indicate that even distribution of fiber layers in the 3D-printed parts can provide high strength at reduced cost.