Integration 3D printing of bionic continuous carbon fiber reinforced resin composite

Inspired by microstructure characteristics of mantis shrimp propodus with high mechanical strength, the bionic continuous carbon fiber (CF) reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin composite with layered spiral structure was prepared successfully via self-built integration 3D printing. Combined with integration 3D printing demands of continuous carbon fiber reinforced ABS resin, bionic structure model was divided into 10 layers with cylindrical entities which spiralled from 0° to 45°. The 3D printed continuous carbon fibers realized designed specific arrangement direction in ABS matrix, which reappeared the layered spiral structure of mantis shrimp propodus. The existence of bionic layered spiral structure led to the higher tensile strength and impact toughness of bionic composite than that of ABS matrix and ABS/CF composite with unidirectional continuous carbon fiber arrangement via the mechanisms of fracture and pull-out of continuous carbon fibers. The high mechanical properties of integration 3D printed bionic composite proved the effectiveness and feasibility of 3D printing method and bionic layered spiral structure design, which extended the preparation method and application fields of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin composite in engineering materials.