The impact of the glass microparticles features on the engineering response of isotactic polypropylene in material extrusion 3D printing

Abstract

Glass in the type of powder, flakes, and beads was reinforced into a PP matrix and then used for filament production, through a thermomechanical process, in different loadings each (3.0 wt%, 6.0 wt%, 9.0 wt%,), with the aim of optimizing the concentrations. Thermogravimetric and Raman analysis were utilized for the determination of thermal stability and composition. With the assistance of material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing, specimens, suitable for tensile, flexural, impact, and microhardness tests were made and exploited for mechanical performance evaluation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) helped in capturing pictures for the evaluation of fractographic characteristics. Glass beads, flakes, and powder all exhibited great improvements in mechanical properties, with respect to pure PP. Still, differences exist between the glass types. Especially the PP/ Glass 3.0 wt% showed the most ameliorations. Such composites expand the capabilities of the MEX 3D printing process, employing an eco-friendly additive, such as glass.