Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Research Articles

Preparation, characterization, and properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene / multi walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Preparation, characterization, and properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene / multi walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Determining friction properties of ABS plastic in contact with loamy soil

The paper explores the feasibility of substituting steel working bodies with polymer ones in soil-cultivating units. (Research purpose) The research aims to investigate how the friction parameters of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) are affected by variations in absolute soil moisture and speed of the unit during the interaction of its working body with loamy soil. (Materials and methods) A laboratory unit was developed to examine the friction characteristics of the polymer in contact with loamy soil. The study measures the friction and adhesion properties by altering the absolute moisture of loamy soil. (Results and discussion) Graphs were constructed to illustrate the relationship between of the friction parameters of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) on absolute soil moisture. It was determined that at absolute soil moistures of 18, 20 and 26 percent, the friction coefficients of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene are 0.45, 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. The adhesion values were recorded at 100, 145 and 700 pascals for absolute soil moistures of 18, 20 and 28 percent, respectively. A decrease in both friction and adhesion was observed when the soil moisture reached between 26% and 28%. (Conclusions) The friction properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) are lower than those of steel, yet significantly higher than those of fluoroplastic. Further research in this area is expected to significantly increase the effi ciency of selecting materials for the manufacturing of working parts in soil-cultivating units, while also reducing energy costs.

Parameters of a robotic loading device for selection seeder

In cassette-type selection seeders, a cassette loading device sequentially conveys cassettes filled with seed material to the planting mechanism of the seeder. (Research purpose) The research aims to calculate the geometric parameters and identify the cassette material in the development of a robotic cassette loading device for the selection seeder. (Materials and methods) The geometric parameters of the cassettes are determined based on the existing cassette loading device of the model SSS-2-6 selection seeder and the selection sowing specifi cations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with the wavenumber range of 400-4000 cm–1 is used to identify a polymer material suitable for manufacturing cassettes and a guide plate for a selection seeder. (Results and discussion) The geometric parameters of cassettes, cells, cassette blocks, and guide plates are determined by using various design solutions employed in previous cassettes for the loading device. The objectives of the study also encompass the selection of polymer material for the manufacture of the cassette using 3D modeling techniques. To accomplish this, it was necessary to identify the specific polymer material of the plastic cassette and guide plate samples currently used in the loading device of the SSSe-6 selection seeder. The qualitative composition of these samples is determined by infrared spectroscopy using a Simex FT-801 Infrared Fourier spectrometer. (Conclusions) The geometric parameters essential for modeling, manufacturing and further development of a robotic cassette loading device are calculated. It has been established that the device is made of a copolymer consisting of acrylonitrile, polybutadiene and styrene (known as ABS plastic), which has a sliding friction coefficient approximately 0.47-0.54. In order to decrease the coefficient of cassette friction when driving along the guide plates, additives like ceramide can be introduced into ABS during their production enhancing its sliding properties.

Fabrication and development of high temperature resisted bronze composites using 3D printed gate pattern through stir casting route

Fused deposition modeling (Additive manufacturing method) is used for printing the gate pattern by considering Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), alumina (Al2O3), and silicon carbide (SiC) as raw material. The three compositions of feedstock filaments are ABS −2% Al2O3 − 0. wt % SiC, ABS −2% Al2O3 − 3. wt % SiC and ABS −2% Al2O3 − 6. wt % SiC, which are produced by using melt flow extruder. The melt flow index of three compositions are determined as 2.413 /10 min, 2.403/10 min and 2.389/10 min which are near to ABS melt flow index of 2.44 / 10 min. The gate pattern is prepared by fusion deposition modeling method by considering parameters such as SiC reinforcement (wt %), raster inclination and infill density and best optimal parameter for producing pattern comprising high tensile strength and high flexural strength using Technique Order Preference Similar to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The best set of optimal parameter for printing the gate pattern was found out as ABS −2% Al2O3 −6 wt% SiC, infill density of 50 % and raster inclination 0°. This pattern exhibited average surface roughness of 12.6 µm, tensile strength of 40.5 MPa and flexural strength of 73.1 MPa. The lowest tensile strength of 29.3 MPa was observed for 3 % SiC, 50 % infill density and 30° raster orientation. Using the printed gated pattern via stir casting process, four different compositions of bronze composites are synthesized such as Cu-Sn- 0 wt% B4C, Cu-Sn- 2 wt% B4C, Cu-Sn- 4 wt% B4C and Cu-Sn- 6 wt% B4C. Cu-Sn- 2 wt% B4C composite exhibited maximum hardness, tensile strength and impact strength of 55 HRC, 323 MPa and 279 N/mm2 respectively. The lowest tensile strength, lowest hardness and maximum deviation in dimension of 323 MPa, 38 HRC and 0.144 mm was found out for Cu-Sn-6 wt% B4C. The best optimized pattern: ABS −2% Al2O3 −6 wt% SiC, infill density of 50 % and raster inclination 0° was used as a pattern for producing seven casted cubes (Cu-Sn-2 wt% B4C) which shows average dimension of ± 0.12 mm.

Safety enhanced novel polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion battery: Anomalous output performance with long term cycling stability by doping and polymer blending

Electrolyte with better safety and stability are the primary concern in the present lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology. Herein, a unique polymer blend electrolyte of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVdF)/poly (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (ABS) (75: 25) is fabricated by the non-solvent induced phase inversion method. The structural, morphological, and electrochemical performance of the PVdF/ABS blend is enhanced by incorporating the silica nanoparticles as the ceramic filler by the in-situ method. The gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) constitutes 6 wt % of in-situ synthesised silica in PVdF/ABS blend (PASI-06) exhibits better microporous structure with 80 % porosity. The thermal shrinkage, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and flammability test safeguards the exceptional thermal stability of the polymer membrane in LIBs. The polymer membrane activated in the liquid electrolyte (1 M LiPF6 in EC:EMC:DMC (1: 1: 1 v/v)) reveals an electrolyte uptake of 400 %, high electrolyte retention (0.82) and a room temperature ionic conductivity of 5.7 mS cm−1. The better oxidative stability exhibited by the PASI-06 (4.5 V) ensures its applicability with high voltage cathodes. Moreover, the electrochemical performance of the coin cell constitutes of Li/GPE/LFP able to exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 143 mAh g−1 and retained a capacity of 115 mAh g−1 even after 200 cycles at 0.1 C-rate at 25 °C. The long term cycling stability evaluated over 500 cycles at 1 C shows that the cell can exhibit an initial discharge capacity 120 mAh g−1 with 77 % capacity retention over 500 cycles that corresponds to 99 % of coulombic efficiency. These excellent performances exhibited by the PASI-06 GPE guarantee its applicability in thermally stable LIBs with better safety and reliability.

Investigating the influence of infill patterns and mesh modifiers on fatigue properties of 3D printed polymers

This research examines the structural performance of Tough Polylactic Acid (PLA) components made through material extrusion, focusing on tensile and fatigue behaviors. Tough PLA, similar to regular PLA, exhibits improved toughness comparable to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). As the application of 3D printed parts for functional use expands, understanding the mechanical attributes of materials under both static and dynamic loading conditions is crucial. This study investigates the impact of infill pattern/density and localized reinforcement on the tensile and fatigue strength of Tough PLA samples. Digital image correlation (DIC) and optical micrographs were used to acquire surface-strain data. The findings highlight the influence of localized reinforcement and infill density. Increased infill density is associated with higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus, with specimens at 90 % infill achieving a tensile strength of 28 MPa and Young’s modulus of 0.46 GPa. Incorporating mesh modifiers can enhance tensile properties by up to 20 %. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) confirmed the significant effects of these factors on tensile strength. Fatigue test results show a grid pattern without modifiers exhibits the best fatigue life, with specimens enduring up to forty-two thousand cycles at 45 % UTS, while a line modifier balances fatigue strength and tensile properties.

Exploring the Potential of Recycled Polymers for 3D Printing Applications: A Review

The integration of recycled polymers into additive manufacturing (AM) processes offers a promising opportunity for advancing sustainability within the manufacturing industry. This review paper summarizes existing research and developments related to the use of recycled materials in AM, focusing on distinct polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), among others. Key topics explored include the availability of recycled filaments on the market, challenges associated with material variability and traceability, and efforts toward establishing ethical product standards and sustainability characterization methodologies. Regulatory considerations and standards development by organizations such as ASTM and ISO are discussed, along with recommendations for future advancements in improving the sustainability of filament recycling and achieving net-zero emissions in AM processes. The collective efforts outlined in this paper underscore the potential of recycled polymers in AM to foster a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing industry.

Heterogeneous Calcium Oxide Catalytic Filaments for Three-Dimensional Printing: Preparation, Characterization, and Use in Methyl Ester Production.

This study aimed to investigate heterogeneous catalytic filaments of calcium oxide (CaO) for fused deposition modeling three-dimensional (3D) printers. The CaO catalysts were blended with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic to form catalytic filaments. A single-screw filament extruder was used to prepare the filaments, following which their mechanical properties, thermal properties, morphology, catalytic characteristics in biodiesel production, and reusability were evaluated. In accordance with the results, a maximum CaO catalyst content of 15 wt % was recommended to be blended in the ABS pellet. The hardness and compressive strength of these catalytic filaments were shown to be improved. Subsequently, the catalytic filaments with the highest CaO content (15 wt %) were used to produce methyl ester from pretreated sludge palm oil through the transesterification process. To determine the recommended conditions for achieving the highest purity of methyl ester in biodiesel, the process parameters were optimized. A methyl ester purity of 96.58 wt % and a biodiesel yield of 79.7 wt % could be achieved under the recommended conditions of a 9.0:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 75.0 wt % catalytic filament loading, and 4.0 h reaction time. Furthermore, the reusability of the 15 wt % CaO catalytic filaments was evaluated in a batch process with multiple transesterification cycles. The results indicated that the purity of methyl ester dropped to 95.0 wt % only after the fourth cycle. The method used in this study for preparing and characterizing CaO catalytic filaments can potentially serve as a novel approach for constructing biodiesel reactors using 3D printing technology.

Comparing Degradation Mechanisms, Quality, and Energy Usage for Pellet- and Filament-Based Material Extrusion for Short Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites with Recycled Polymer Matrices

Short carbon fiber (sCF)-based polymer composite parts enable one to increase in the material property range for additive manufacturing (AM) applications. However, room for technical and material improvement is still possible, bearing in mind that the commonly used fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique is prone to an extra filament-making step. Here, we compare FFF with direct pellet additive manufacturing (DPAM) for sCF-based composites, taking into account degradation reactions, print quality, and energy usage. On top of that, the matrix is based on industrial waste polymers (recycled polycarbonate blended with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer and recycled propylene), additives are explored, and the printing settings are optimized, benefiting from molecular, rheological, thermal, morphological, and material property analyses. Despite this, DPAM resulted in a rougher surface finish compared to FFF and can be seen as a faster printing technique that reduces energy consumption and molecular degradation. The findings help formulate guidelines for the successful DPAM and FFF of sCF-based composite materials in view of better market appreciation.

Effect of infill pattern on the mechanical properties of PLA and ABS specimens prepared by FDM 3D printing

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is a three-dimensional printing technique which has become more popular and spreading in many fields. In this process, the molten thermoplastic is deposited layer by layer using a heated nozzle. Users can set the infill pattern to save the material and printing time. The main objective of this study is to investigate the tensile properties of polylactic acid (PLA) and Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) tensile specimens with different infill patterns such as lines, tri-hexagonal and lightning. Further, the test specimens were prepared as per ASTM D638 using Ender 3D printer with varying infill patterns. The specimens were subjected to tensile tests in a mechanical tensile testing machine. It was observed that the specimens with linear infill patterns obtained higher tensile strength than the tri-hexagonal and lightning pattern infilled specimens. Later on, a microstructural study was examined on the fractured surface using scanning-electron-microscopy (SEM). It shows that the line pattern specimens have more uniform structure when compared to hexagonal and lightning pattern specimens.

Removal of microplastics from agricultural runoff using biochar: a column feasibility study

Plastics are extensively used in agriculture, but their weathering and degradation generates microplastics (MPs) that can be carried by runoff into water bodies where they can accumulate and impact wildlife. Due to its physicochemical properties, biochar has shown promise in mitigating contaminants in agricultural runoff. However, few studies have examined its effectiveness at removing MPs. In this study, we assessed MP pollution (>30 μm) in runoff from a farm in the Mississippi Delta and examined the effectiveness of biochar (pinewood and sugarcane) to remove MPs from aqueous solutions. Using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR), we observed an average of 237 MPs/L (range 27–609) in the runoff, with most particles identified as polyethylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and polyarylamide. Biochar columns effectively removed MPs from runoff samples with reductions ranging from 86.6% to 92.6%. MPs of different sizes, shapes, and types were stained with Nile red dye (to facilitate observation by fluorescence) and quantified their downward progress with multiple column volumes of water and wet/dry cycles. Smaller MPs penetrated the columns further, but ≥90% of MPs were retained in the ∼20 cm columns regardless of their shape, size, and type. We attribute these results to physical entrapment, hydrophobic behaviors, and electrostatic interactions. Overall, this proof-of-concept work suggests biochar may serve as a cost-effective approach to remove MPs from runoff, and that subsequent field studies are warranted.

Additively Manufactured Carbon-Reinforced ABS Honeycomb Composite Structures and Property Prediction by Machine Learning.

The expansive utility of polymeric 3D-printing technologies and demand for high- performance lightweight structures has prompted the emergence of various carbon-reinforced polymer composite filaments. However, detailed characterization of the processing-microstructure-property relationships of these materials is still required to realize their full potential. In this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and two carbon-reinforced ABS variants, with either carbon nanotubes (CNT) or 5 wt.% chopped carbon fiber (CF), were designed in a bio-inspired honeycomb geometry. These structures were manufactured by fused filament fabrication (FFF) and investigated across a range of layer thicknesses and hexagonal (hex) sizes. Microscopy of material cross-sections was conducted to evaluate the relationship between print parameters and porosity. Analyses determined a trend of reduced porosity with lower print-layer heights and hex sizes compared to larger print-layer heights and hex sizes. Mechanical properties were evaluated through compression testing, with ABS specimens achieving higher compressive yield strength, while CNT-ABS achieved higher ultimate compressive strength due to the reduction in porosity and subsequent strengthening. A trend of decreasing strength with increasing hex size across all materials was supported by the negative correlation between porosity and increasing print-layer height and hex size. We elucidated the potential of honeycomb ABS, CNT-ABS, and ABS-5wt.% CF polymer composites for novel 3D-printed structures. These studies were supported by the development of a predictive classification and regression supervised machine learning model with 0.92 accuracy and a 0.96 coefficient of determination to help inform and guide design for targeted performance.

Implementing multiblock techniques in a full-scale plant scenario: On-line prediction of quality parameters in a continuous process for different acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) products

BackgroundThe study explores the challenges of handling multiblock data of different natures (process and NIR sensors) for on-line quality prediction in a full-scale plant scenario, namely a plant operating in continuous on an industrial scale and producing different grade Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) products. This environment is an ideal scenario to evaluate the use of multiblock data analysis methods, which can enhance data interpretation, visualization, and predictive performances. In particular, a novel multiblock extension of Locally Weighted PLS has been proposed by the authors, namely Locally Weighted Multiblock Partial Least Squares (LW-MB-PLS). Response-Oriented Sequential Alternation (ROSA) has also been employed to evaluate the diverse block relevance for the prediction of two quality parameters associated with the polymer. Data are split in blocks both according to sensor type and different plant sections, and different models have been built by incremental addition of data blocks to evaluate if early estimation of product quality is feasible. ResultsROSA method showed promising predictive performance for both quality parameters, highlighting the most influential plant sections through the selection of data blocks. The results suggested that both early and late-stage sensors play crucial roles in predicting product quality. A reasonable estimation of quality parameters before production completion has been achieved. On the other hand, the proposed LW-MB-PLS, while comparable in predictive performances, allowed reducing systematic prediction errors for specific products. SignificanceThis study contributes valuable insights for continuous production processes, aiding plant operators and paving the way for advancements in online quality prediction and control. Furthermore, it is implemented as a locally weighted extension of MB-PLS.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the influence of post-curing on mixed mode fracture properties of 3d-printed polymer samples

This study explores the mechanical properties and fracture characteristics of additively manufactured acrylonitrile butadiene styrene specimens, focusing on the impact of raster angle and post-process heat treatment. To this end, a large number of tensile and semi-circular bending samples with three distinct raster angles of 0/90°, 22/ − 68°, and 45/ − 45° were prepared and exposed to four types of heat treatments with different temperature and pressure conditions. Simultaneously, theoretical models of maximum tangential stress (MTS) and generalized MTS (GMTS) were developed to estimate the onset of specimen fracture under mixed-mode in-plane loading conditions. Recognizing the non-linear behavior within the stress–strain curve of tensile test samples, particularly in the annealed samples, an effort was undertaken to transform the original ductile material into a virtual brittle material through the application of the equivalent material concept (EMC). This approach serves the dual purpose of bypassing intricate and tedious elastoplastic analysis, while concurrently enhancing the precision of the GMTS criterion. The experimental findings have revealed that while the annealing process has a minimal effect on the yield strength, it considerably enhances energy absorption capacity, increases fracture toughness, and reduces the anisotropy. Additionally, the combined EMC-GMTS criterion has demonstrated its capability to predict the failure of the additively manufactured parts with an acceptable level of accuracy.

Thermal, dosimetric and thermo-mechanical characterization of ABS and PLA polymer materials via plastic injection molding for innovative bolus materials in radiotherapy applications

The impact of radiation on polymer materials, and consequently on their mechanical and physical properties, is a burgeoning field of research. This research assesses the dosimetric, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) materials developed through plastic injection molding as possible alternatives to commercial bolus used in radiotherapy. The materials were thoroughly compared with the commercial bolus material, EXAFLEX, by various tests such as Hounsfield Unit (HU) Analysis, Radiation Transmittance, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The research indicates that ABS and PLA materials have similar radiological qualities to EXAFLEX, showing constant surface and accumulation area doses. Minor differences are seen deeper inside the phantom, indicating a stable tissue equivalency. ABS demonstrated strong resistance to radiation-induced chemical modifications, but PLA exhibited susceptibility to molecular changes. The TMA findings showed that radiation caused a decrease in softening temperatures and an increase in the coefficient of thermal expansion for both ABS and PLA, indicating changes in their thermal stability and mechanical characteristics after irradiation. The study highlights the potential of ABS and PLA materials made through plastic injection molding as efficient and safety substitutes for commercial bolus materials, particularly for large area irradiation. This requires more research into their clinical uses and consequences.

The Influence of Microstructural Arrangement on the Failure Characteristics of 3D-Printed Polymers: Exploring Damage Behaviour in Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

This study investigated how printing conditions influence the fracture behaviour of 3D-printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) under tensile loading. Dog-bone-shaped ABS specimens were produced using the fusion filament fabrication technique, with varying printing angles. Tensile tests were conducted on pre-notched specimens with consistent pre-notch lengths but different orientations. Optical and scanning electron microscopies were employed to analyse crack propagation in the pre-notched specimens. In order to support experimental evidence, finite element computation was implemented to study the damage induced by the microstructural rearrangement of the filaments when subject to tensile loading. The findings revealed the simple linear correlation between the failure properties including elongation at break and maximum stress in relation to the printing angle for different pre-notch lengths. A more progressive damage was found to support the ultimate performance of the studied material. This experiment evidence was used to build a damage model of 3D-printed ABS that accounts for the onset, growth, and damage saturation. This damage modelling is able to capture the failure properties as a function of the printing angle using a sigmoid-like damage function and a modulation of the stiffness within the raster. The numerical results demonstrated that damage pattern develops as a result of the filament arrangement and weak adhesion between adjacent filaments and explains the diffuse damage kinetics observed experimentally. This study concludes with a topological law relating the notch size and orientation to the rupture properties of 3D-printed ABS. This study supports the idea of tailoring the microstructural arrangement to control and mitigate the mechanical instabilities that lead to the failure of 3D-printed polymers.

Effect of Gamma Irradiation Dose on the Interface and Tribological Properties of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene

Effect of Gamma Irradiation Dose on the Interface and Tribological Properties of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene

Mechanical Properties of Raw Filaments and Printed Specimens: Effects of Fiber Reinforcements and Process Parameters.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a well-established manufacturing method for producing both prototype and functional components. This study investigates the mechanical properties of FDM components by material and process-related influencing variables. Tensile tests were conducted on seven different materials in their raw filament form, two of which were fiber-reinforced, to analyze their material-related influence. To cover a wide range from standard to advanced materials relevant for load-carrying components as well as their respective variations, polylactic acid (PLA), 30% wood-fiber-reinforced PLA, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), a blend of ABS and PC, Nylon, and 30% glass-fiber-reinforced Nylon were selected. The process-related influencing variables were studied using the following process parameters: layer thickness, nozzle diameter, build orientation, nozzle temperature, infill density and pattern, and raster angle. The first test series revealed that the addition of wood fibers significantly worsened the mechanical behavior of PLA due to the lack of fiber bonding to the matrix and significant pore formation. The polymer blend of ABS and PC only showed improvements in stiffness. Significant strength and stiffness improvements were found by embedding glass fibers in Nylon, despite partially poor fiber-matrix bonding. The materials with the best properties were selected for the process parameter analysis. When examining the impact of layer thickness on part strength, a clear correlation was evident. Smaller layer thicknesses resulted in higher strength, while stiffness did not appear to be affected. Conversely, larger nozzle diameters and lower nozzle temperatures only positively impacted stiffness, with little effect on strength. The part orientation did alter the fracture behavior of the test specimens. Although an on-edge orientation resulted in higher stiffness, it failed at lower stresses. Higher infill densities and infill patterns aligned with the load direction led to the best mechanical results. The raster angle had a significant impact on the behavior of the printed bodies. An alternating raster angle resulted in lower strengths and stiffness compared to a unidirectional raster angle. However, it also caused significant stretching due to the rotation of the beads.

Integration of soft tooling by additive manufacturing in polymer profile extrusion process chain

Integrating additive manufacturing (AM) into polymer extrusion offers process chain flexibility and design freedom. It reduces the need for time-consuming iterations and trial-and-error in the die design process. Consequently, polymer AM of extrusion (i.e., soft tooling) allows for a shorter product development cycle and cost-effectiveness for small-scale production and highly customized products. In this study, carbon fibre (CF)-polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) dies were manufactured using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) AM process, employing a streamlined die design achieved through freeform transition planes. Calibration slides were produced using masked stereolithography (MSLA), FFF, and conventional manufacturing techniques (i.e., machining) to preserve the final product’s cross-section during the cooling process. The dimensional and surface characteristics of these calibration slides were evaluated to assess the dimensional accuracy and surface topography of various materials and manufacturing processes. The dimensional evaluation reveals that MSLA-printed parts exhibit deviation from the nominal dimension closer to the conventionally manufactured part. The integrated soft tooling in the polymer extrusion line was tested with polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) as extruded materials. The surface topography of the CF-PEEK die displays distinctive ripple features resulting from the FFF process, identified by relatively flat peaks and deep valleys. The overall surface texture parameter values of CF-PEEK were higher due to the presence of deep valleys. Considering that the areas around the peaks interacted more with polymer molecules during the extrusion, the surface texture parameters of the extrudates were closer to the value observed in 90 µm region areas around the peaks. Notably, extrudates of AM calibration slides have lower surface texture parameters than extrudates of conventionally manufactured calibration slides, even though surface defects in the form of dimple sink marks were observed in extruded material of PP from extrudates using AM calibration slides.

Effect of ABS Content on Thermal Stability, Tensile Strength, Friction, and Wear of PMMA/ABS blends

The effect of ABS content on the thermal stability, tensile strength, and wear resistance of polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) (PMMA/ABS) blends was systematically investigated. The thermal stability of the PMMA/ABS blends became higher with higher ABS content due to the increased fraction of higher thermal resistant ABS componen in the blends. However, the increased ABS content in the PMMA/ABS blends from 10 to 70 wt.% resulted in a 17.9% decrease in their tensile strength while the wear volume of the PMMA/ABS blend with 70 wt.% ABS content was 39.5 times larger than that of the one with 10 wt.% ABS content. The PMMA/ABS blend with 10wt.% ABS content had the highest tensile strength and wear resistance among the samples used in this study because of its best miscibility and processability. It could be concluded that the ABS content had a significant effect on the thermal stability, tensile strength, and wear resistance of the PMMA/ABS blends.