Abstract
The objective of this study is to characterize the micromechanical properties of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) composites reinforced by grade 420 stainless steel (SS) particles with a specific focus on the interphase properties. The specimens were manufactured using 3D printing techniques due to its many benefits, including high accuracy, cost effectiveness and customized geometry. The adopted fused filament fabrication resulted in a thin interphase layer with an average thickness of 3 µm. The mechanical properties of each phase, as well as the interphase, were characterized by nanoindentation tests. The effect of matrix degradation, i.e., imperfect bonding, on the elastic modulus of the composite was further examined by a representative volume element (RVE) model. The results showed that the interphase layer provided a smooth transition of elastic modulus from steel particles to the polymeric matrix. A 10% volume fraction of steel particles could enhance the elastic modulus of PLLA polymer by 31%. In addition, steel particles took 37% to 59% of the applied load with respect to the particle volume fraction. We found that degradation of the interphase reduced the elastic modulus of the composite by 70% and 7% under tensile and compressive loads, respectively. The shear modulus of the composite with 10% particles decreased by 36%, i.e., lower than pure PLLA, when debonding occurred.
Highlights
Three-dimensional printing is gaining increased attention due to the fabricating of complex composite polymer structures with minimal waste of raw materials
The results showed that the load shared by the steel particle increasedbyby21%
Nanoindentation tests were conducted in order to characterize the micro-mechanical properties of each composite and the thickness of the interphase
Summary
Three-dimensional printing is gaining increased attention due to the fabricating of complex composite polymer structures with minimal waste of raw materials. Metallic particles reinforce 3D printed polymer composites in terms of mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Higher wear resistance, thermal stability, and stiffness were attained. Bedi et al [4] studied the effect of reinforcing Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer with SiC/Al2 O3 particles. They found that the Al2 O3 reinforcement of LDPE resulted in better dimensional stability with improved surface hardness. Tensile strength, and electromagnetic characterization of a 3D printed tungsten–polycarbonate polymer matrix composite was experimentally investigated for space-based applications [5]. The interphase properties and interface strength play important roles
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