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Volume 13 | Issue 7 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJME-V13I7P119 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I7P119

Selection of Single and Multiple Fillers for Ease of FDM 3D Printing using Combined Approach of Property Improvement Function & Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Zakir Sajid Ansari, Amol Gulabrao Kamble, Shashikant Manjabapu Auti, Shubhangi Nishikant Gurav

Received Revised Accepted Published
21 May 2026 23 Jun 2026 13 Jul 2026 30 Jul 2026

Citation :

Zakir Sajid Ansari, Amol Gulabrao Kamble, Shashikant Manjabapu Auti, Shubhangi Nishikant Gurav, "Selection of Single and Multiple Fillers for Ease of FDM 3D Printing using Combined Approach of Property Improvement Function & Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13, no. 7, pp. 237-254, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I7P119

Abstract

The high cost and complexity involved in producing composite filaments limit their use compared to typical polymer filaments. Unlike pure polymer filaments, composite filaments integrate reinforcing agents or fillers that can disrupt the uniformity of the polymer matrix. The poor dispersion of fillers leads to agglomeration, hindering the printing process and reducing key properties such as mechanical strength and thermal or electrical conductivity. The inclusion of fillers complicates not only filament manufacturing and 3D printing but also influences the overall performance of the printed parts. The challenge intensifies when multiple fillers are used. This impact can collectively be termed as affecting the “ease of 3D printing.” Selecting suitable fillers is critical, as they influence filament quality, printing behavior, and final product performance. This study adopts the Performance Improvement Function (PIF) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a tool for selecting both single and multiple fillers, keeping the goal as improvement of Mechanical, Thermal, and Rheological properties and ease of FDM 3D printing. The fillers were initially graded based on the increments or decrements they show in Mechanical, Thermal and Rheological properties using PIF. The top 4 fillers were then chosen as alternatives and were ranked using AHP.

Keywords

Additive Manufacturing (AM), FDM 3D Printing, Ease of 3D Printing, Composite Filament, AHP.

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