Effects of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on the Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Nanocomposites Potentially Used for Fused Deposition Modeling

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending and then filaments were obtained by melt extrusion method. The Scanning electron microscope (SEM) exhibited good dispersion of MWCNTs in the SAN phase of the ABS matrix. The rheological results showed that incorporation of MWCNTs into ABS resulted in higher storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G′′) than those of ABS, especially at low frequencies. The tensile strength and modulus of MWCNT/ABS nanocomposite filaments substantially increased with the MWCNTs content while the elongation at break decreased. Additionally, the addition of MWCNTs decreased the coefficient of linear thermal expansion. This study provides a basis for further development of MWCNT/ABS nanocomposites used for FDM process with desirable mechanical properties and good dimension stability.