Mechanism and behavior of laser irradiation on carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) during the laser-assisted in-situ consolidation additive manufacturing process

The mechanism and behavior of laser irradiation during the laser-assisted in-situ consolidation additive manufacturing (LCAM) process were investigated in terms of mechanical properties, surface quality, and crystallinity. The effects of laser power and movement speed on tensile and bending properties of single carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) tape were analyzed. The mechanical properties decreased rapidly at first and then tended to be steady with the increase of laser power, and the maximum attenuation of tensile and bending strength was 70.69% and 81.94%, respectively. Furthermore, the reduction in crystallinity and the aggravation of damage were found with the increase of laser power and the decrease of movement speed, resulting in the dramatic attenuation of mechanical strength. Finally, the phenomenon of resin evaporation and deterioration, local fiber exposure and lifting, fiber breakage and ablation, as well as dense impurity adhesion were observed, which were detrimental to the interlayer bonding quality.