Additive manufacturing of continuous fiber-reinforced composites introduces a new dimension to the design of polymer components intended for mechanical load transfer. The ability to customize the mechanical durability of these composites to meet the specific needs of individual products requires a comprehensive understanding of their mechanical response. In this study, we investigated composites made from a biodegradable PLA matrix reinforced with continuous flax fibers. These composites were produced using a specialized device that deposited the matrix and the impregnated flax fibers separately. We examined the mechanical response of the composites in terms of both static and dynamic durability, analyzing various layer arrangements, fiber volume fractions, and forms of stress concentrators. Our findings revealed that the inclusion of fibers significantly enhanced the tensile strength and stiffness of the flax composites. Furthermore, the composites demonstrated outstanding mechanical properties under cyclical loading. The strategic placement of fibers near the notches effectively mitigated static fractures and reduced the risk of fatigue damage. To predict the fatigue life of the investigated composites, we employed theory of critical distances, which estimated fatigue life based on the homogenized stress distribution near the notch with a high degree of accuracy.
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