Detailed Thermal Characterization of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and Polylactic Acid Based Carbon Composites Used in Additive Manufacturing.

Zoltan Ujfalusi,Attila Pentek,Adam Schiffer,Miklos Nyitrai,Peter Maroti,Roland Told

doi:10.3390/polym12122960

Abstract

Currently, 3D printing is an affordable technology for industry, healthcare, and individuals. Understanding the mechanical properties and thermoplastic behaviour of the composites is critical for the users. Our results give guidance for certain target groups including professionals in the field of additive manufacturing for biomedical components with in-depth characterisation of the examined commercially available ABS and PLA carbon-based composites. The study aimed to characterize these materials in terms of thermal behaviour and structure. The result of the heating-cooling loops is the thermal hysteresis effect of Ohmic resistance with its accommodation property in the temperature range of 20–84 °C for ESD-ABS and 20–72 °C for ESD-PLA. DSC-TGA measurements showed that the carbon content of the examined ESD samples is ~10–20% (m/m) and there is no significant difference in the thermodynamic behaviour of the basic ABS/PLA samples and their ESD compounds within the temperature range typically used for 3D printing. The results support the detailed design process of 3D-printed electrical components and prove that ABS and PLA carbon composites are suitable for prototyping and the production of biomedical sensors.

Highlights

The feature can significantly reduce production time and costs, which are key factors in research workPolymers 2020, 12, 2960; doi:10.3390/polym12122960 www.mdpi.com/journal/polymersPolymers 2020, 12, 2960 or a product development process
As a post-processing method, heat or chemical treatment can be applied in order to modify the surface or structure characteristics [12], and these observations are essential in case of functional prototyping
Conductive ABS-based and PLA-based carbon composites are suitable for electrical prototyping

Summary

Introduction

The feature can significantly reduce production time and costs, which are key factors in research work. Polymers 2020, 12, 2960 or a product development process. Previous studies have investigated complex models fabricated with additive manufacturing, where interlayer adhesion is a key factor, determining the characteristics of the printed object. The treatment of the printed objects can modify layer adhesion. As a post-processing method, heat or chemical treatment can be applied in order to modify the surface or structure characteristics [12], and these observations are essential in case of functional prototyping. The detailed thermal and structural characterization of the materials are essential to better understand their potential application

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion