Acoustic properties of ABS and PLA parts produced by additive manufacturing using different printing parameters

Abstract This study investigates the effect of printing parameters on the acoustic performance of specimens produced using 3D printing technology. The specimens were fabricated with square and hexagonal cell shapes with 10, 20, 30, and 50 % infill ratios from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) materials. The sound absorption coefficient and sound transmission loss results of the samples were measured with an impedance tube at 1/3 octave band values in the range of 500–6400 Hz. The highest sound absorption coefficient results were determined for cylindrical samples with a square internal structure made of ABS material with a 50 % infill ratio in the frequency range of 2500–3500 Hz. The sound transmission loss values of the samples vary between approximately 13 and 58 dB at 1/3 octave band values in the range of 500 and 6300 Hz. The highest sound transmission loss values were determined in the sample produced of PLA with a square cell shape at a 30 % infill ratio. It was concluded that different geometric shapes, materials, and infill ratios affect the acoustic performance of parts produced by 3D printing technology.