ABSTRACT This investigation explores how raster orientation affects the mechanical properties of PLA parts produced via fused filament fabrication, specifically examining orientations of 0°, 45°, and 90° in tensile and impact tests. Results from tensile testing indicate that the 90° setup yields about 15% greater ultimate tensile strength at 56.8 MPa versus 51.1 MPa for the 0° configuration, due to improved load‐layer alignment. In Charpy impact assessments, the 45° crack arrester arrangement demonstrated superior toughness at 134.73 kJ/m 2 , contrasting with the 45° crack divider's lower value of 47.83 kJ/m 2 . By merging hands‐on experiments with optical microscopy for crack path examination, this research highlights unique failure patterns tied to layer direction, underscoring the material's anisotropy in additive processes. Such outcomes offer practical advice for engineering durable parts in fields like aviation and healthcare equipment, aiding in tailored raster choices for specific performance needs. The study aims to address the lack of clear objectives in prior work by providing a focused analysis of raster orientation effects, adding significant value through detailed experimental insights.
Khodabandeh et al. (2026) studied this question.