Microstructure Evaluation and Thermal–Mechanical Properties of ABS Matrix Composite Filament Reinforced with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by a Single Screw Extruder for FDM 3D Printing

Thai-Hung Le,Van-Son Le,Ngoc-Tam Bui,Trung-Kien Le,Quoc-Khanh Dang,Minh-Thuyet Nguyen

doi:10.3390/app11198798

Abstract

This paper reports the synthesis of a new printable ABS–MWCNT composite filament, for use in fused deposition modeling (FDM), using an extrusion technique. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were the initial materials used for fabricating the filaments. The MWCNTs were dispersed in ABS resin, then extruded through a single-shaft extruder in filament form, with MWCNT contents of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3% or 4% by weight. After extrusion, the diameter of the filaments was about 1.75 mm, making them appropriate for FDM. The as-synthesized filaments were then used in FDM to print out samples, on which tensile tests and other analyses were carried out. The results demonstrate that the sample with 2% MWCNTs had the highest strength value, 44.57 MPa, comprising a 42% increase over that of the pure ABS sample. The morphology and dispersion of MWCNTs in the composite were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), demonstrating the uniform distribution of MWCNTs in the ABS matrix. The thermal behavior results indicated no significant change in the ABS structure; however, the melt flow index of the filaments decreased with an increase in the MWCNT content.

Highlights

These studies have demonstrated that fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing products fabricated using carbon fiber or carbon nanotube fillers in the polymer matrix had remarkably enhanced electrical/heat conduction, mechanical strength, modulus of elasticity, toughness, and/or durability, revealing the great potential of such materials in various practical applications
The tensile test was conducted for all the samples; that is, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, ing to ASTM D638 standard
The tensile testunder was conducted for allresulting the samples; thatpoor is, ABS

Summary

Introduction

The process operations are straightforward and tenable, in which thermoplastic-based materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and polypropylene, are typically used Their mechanical properties are usually lower in comparison with those of conventional products, and they usually present anisotropic behavior [8,9]. Polymer matrix composites reinforced by carbonaceous materials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNT), have gained attention in previous reports [13–16] These studies have demonstrated that FDM 3D printing products fabricated using carbon fiber or carbon nanotube fillers in the polymer matrix had remarkably enhanced electrical/heat conduction, mechanical strength, modulus of elasticity, toughness, and/or durability, revealing the great potential of such materials in various practical applications. Many researchers have recently made efforts towards investigating the effects of process and infill parameters on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed specimens fabricated by FDM [19–21], and have developed predictive models using analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques [22,23]

Methods

Results

Conclusion