Abstract
To fully exploit the preponderance of three-dimensional (3D)-printed, continuous, fiber-reinforced, thermoplastic composites (CFRTPCs) and self-reinforced composites (which exhibit excellent interfacial affinity and are fully recyclable), an approach in which continuous fiber self-reinforced composites (CFSRCs) can be fabricated by 3D printing is proposed. The influence of 3D-printing temperature on the mechanical performance of 3D-printed CFSRCs based on homogeneous, continuous, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filament, utilized as a reinforcing phase and matrix, respectively, was studied. Experimental results showed a qualitative relationship between the printing temperature and the mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength, as well as Young’s modulus, were 300.2 MPa and 8.2 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, transcrystallization that occurred in the process of 3D printing resulted in an interface between fibers and the matrix. Finally, the recyclability of 3D-printed CFSRCs has also been demonstrated in this research for potential applications of green composites.
Highlights
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) are usually composed of two constituents, the reinforcement and the matrix materials, which inevitably leads to interfacial and material recycling problems
This is considered to be a major drawback of FRPCs, because composite mechanical properties are greatly influenced by the interfacial interaction between reinforcement fibers and the matrix [4,5]
Unlike traditional fiber-reinforced composites made up of different constituents, self-reinforced composite (SRC) materials consist of matrix phases and reinforcing, which are composed of the homogeneous material that belongs to the same family of polymers but shows different structures and performances
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. SRCs exhibit excellent interfacial affinity, and do not require additional processing steps to separate the reinforcement elements and matrix components during the recycling process. On account of these benefits, it has been subsequently applied to many other polymers. SRCs is the hot compaction of fibers This method results in fibers’ partial surface melting, whereas the melted part of fibers forms as the matrix of the self-reinforced composites after cooling. The major drawback of this technique is that, because the resin matrix and the reinforcement are made of the same material, the processing window as regards temperature does not exceed several degrees and even the slightest overheating of the fibers inevitably degrades its reinforcing properties. A closed-loop recycling mode of self-reinforcing composites can be realized by 3D printing
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