Effect of carbon nanotube on thermal, tribological and mechanical properties of 3D printing polyphenylene sulfide

Abstract

Due to its high temperature (maintain stable performance at 200 ℃), corrosion resistance (resistant to strong acids and alkalis) and high mechanical strength, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) has been attracting more attention in recent years, but research about PPS and 3D printing reinforced composites remains low. Pure PPS has lower application potential compared to its composites. In this study, carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced PPS 3D printing filaments with uniform CNT dispersion were prepared and CNT uniformity was ensured by coating maleimide polymers (MIPs). Systematically analyzed CNT (contents between 0 and 0.9 wt%) effects on tribological, mechanical and thermal performance of 3D printing PPS. Compared to pure PPS, tensile and bending strengths increased 26% and 29%, respectively. Crystallinity of PPS printed parts improved through thermal conductivity and diffusivity. Wear rate reduced from 1.14E-3 mm 3 N −1 m −1 to 1.838E-5 mm 3 N −1 m −1 . Both fracture and worn surfaces were observed by SEM. As result, this research expects to improve engineering application values of 3D printing PPS. • Prepared carbon nanotube polyphenylene sulfide composite material for 3D printing. • A non-covalent method was used to realize carbon nanotube dispersion in printing filament. • Composite materials’ wear resistance and mechanical properties significantly improved. • Analyzed influence mechanisms of carbon nanotube performance.