Neat Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Research Articles

Mechanical, viscoelastic, and biodegradability characteristics of ramie fibre‐reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites

AbstractBiocomposites made from natural fibers have attracted significant attention in recent years owing to the global concern regarding plastic accumulation. In this investigation, ramie fiber was employed as a natural fiber reinforcement in the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) matrix to enhance the biodegradability of the polymer composite. ABS/ramie fiber composites were prepared by compression molding with various wt% (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt %) of ramie fibers within the ABS matrix. Subsequently, the biodegradability, water absorption, mechanical properties, viscoelastic behavior, and thermal characteristics of the prepared composites were evaluated. The biodegradation test results demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between the concentrations of fibers in neat ABS. The maximum biodegradation of the composites was 2.56% at 20 wt% ramie fibers in the ABS matrix. Moreover, an increase in the wt% of ramie fiber led to an increase in water absorption. Although the tensile strength and impact strength decreased with increasing fiber content, the tensile modulus of the ABS/ramie fiber composites initially increased up to 5 wt% fiber and then started decreasing, and the natural fibers in ABS reduced the viscoelastic properties. The objective of developing ABS/ramie fiber composites is to utilize them as environmentally sustainable materials in automotive manufacturing industry.

On the Structural, Thermal, Micromechanical and Tribological Characterizations of Cu-Filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Micro-Composites.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the structural, thermal, micromechanical and tribological properties of novel polymer/metal composite materials for bearing applications. Copper (Cu)-filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) composites were mixed in a laboratory scale by an internal mixer with two blade impellers, and then injection-molded. Neat ABS, ABS+5wt% Cu, ABS+10wt% Cu, and ABS+15wt% Cu were the four materials that were tested. The dispersion of Cu particles in the ABS matrix was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and a micro-tomography scan. The filler particles have a uniform distribution in the matrix, according to the observations. The incorporation of Cu filler also refined an increase in the glass transition temperature from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and less intensity in the amorphous phase by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nanoindentation tests were carried out to characterize the micro-mechanical behavior of the composites. Friction and wear analysis were also examined using a pin-on-disk tribometer. Compared with neat ABS, all the micro-composites showed much higher indentation hardness, Vickers hardness, and indentation elastic modulus. It was also concluded that the incorporation of Cu filler into ABS simultaneously improved the friction and wear properties of the composites, which contributed to the suitability of the micro-filled composites with hard metallic particles for a wider range of mechanical components for bearing applications.

Numerical and experimental analysis of a flame-retardant polymer material after extrusion through the printing nozzle of fused filament fabrication system

Research focuses on developing a novel flame-retardant filament utilizing acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) by the numerical approach using finite element analysis (FEM)-based software, COMSOL Multiphysics to overcome nozzle clogging and establish optimal three-dimensional (3D)-printing parameters. The developed FEM model enabled the numerical testing of differently shaped nozzles and proven the benefit of using a low-convergence angle (60°) nozzle because of the greater magnitude of pressure drop at nozzle tip compared with that of a high-convergence angle (120°) nozzle, a slightly better temperature distribution at the nozzle region, and smoother flow of the melted filament. Experimental tests results demonstrated the feasibility of using fused filament fabrication 3D printing to apply on ABS composite directly, and the printed samples retain their properties. An improvement in the burning test showed a V 0 rating, thermal stability 13% at 800 °C, and the heat release rate of ∼390 W/g compared with neat ABS (∼501 W/g).

Characterizing material transitions in large-scale Additive Manufacturing

Integrating Multiple Materials (MM) into large-scale Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a key for various industrial applications wishing to incorporate site-specific properties into geometrically complex designs that are difficult to manufacture with traditional techniques. Printing with multiple materials is typically accomplished by using layers as natural material boundaries, but having the capability to switch between materials within a single layer without pausing would further expand MM possibilities. This study used Cincinnati Incorporated’s Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) system to explore material transitions with a novel dual-hopper that enables in-situ material blending of a pelletized feedstock. Constructing MM and functionally graded material (FGM) structures requires depositing a specific material composition at a specific geometric location to achieve a desired performance. Accurately implementing this with the BAAM’s blended extrusion system requires a thorough understanding of the transition between distinct material compositions. This study characterizes a step-change transition between neat acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and carbon fiber-reinforced ABS. Three distinct techniques were compared for analyzing the fiber content, and the transition zone between materials was characterized as a function of transition direction. The transition process was consistent to within 0.7 wt% carbon fiber variation between different layers and prints. The transition between materials was found to be directionally dependent, with ABS to CF/ABS having a transition length of 3.5 m compared to 3.2 m for CF/ABS to ABS. Furthermore, the transition from Material A to Material B was found to be repeatable with a possible variance in transition length of 0.3 m.

High-performance molded composites using additively manufactured preforms with controlled fiber and pore morphology

In this work, large-scale multimaterial preforms produced by additive manufacturing (AM) underwent compression molding (CM) to produce high-performance thermoplastic composites reinforced with short carbon fibers. AM and CM techniques were integrated to control the fiber orientation (microstructure) and to reduce void content for the improved mechanical performance of the composite. The new integrated manufacturing technique is termed “additive manufacturing-compression molding” (AM-CM). For the present study, the most common materials were used for large-scale printing, i.e., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), carbon fiber (CF)–filled ABS (CF/ABS) and glass fiber (GF)–filled ABS (GF/ABS). Three different manufacturing processes; (a) AM (b) extrusion compression molding (ECM), and (c) AM-CM were used to prepare four different panel configurations: (1) neat ABS, (2) CF/ABS, (3) overmold (CF/ABS over neat ABS), and (4) sandwich (neat ABS between two CF/ABS layers). The mechanical properties (tensile and flexural strength and modulus, and Izod impact energy) of samples prepared via all three manufacturing processes were compared. X-ray microcomputer tomography was employed to evaluate the fiber orientation distribution and the volumetric porosity content. The preform maintained high fiber alignment (≈ 82% of fibers within the range of 0–20° in the deposition direction), and the volumetric porosity was reduced by 50% from 3.79% to 1.91% after compression. The alignment of long pores along the deposition direction was also observed. The mechanical properties are discussed with correlation to the fiber alignment and void content in the samples. CF/ABS samples prepared by AM-CM showed significant improvement of 11.15%, 35.27%, 28.6%, and 74.3% in the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus, respectively, when compared with samples prepared by ECM. Unique aspects of this study are the demonstration of large-scale multimaterial AM and the use of multimaterials as preforms to make high-performance composites.

Recycling by injection and chrome plating of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene parts pickled in hydrochloric and nitric acids

ABSTRACTChrome‐plated acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) parts with defects in the metal layer were submitted to pickling with hydrochloric and nitric acids and recycled by injection in different proportions with neat ABS. For comparison, samples with neat ABS (ABSn) and ABS submitted to pickling (ABSp) were also injected. The influence of the pickled material on the samples properties was evaluated by chemical, thermal, and mechanical analysis. The injected samples were chrome by conventional process and evaluated by visual inspection, adhesion test, resistance to corrosion, and accelerated aging test, to evaluate the quality of the chrome finish. A gradual darkening of samples and formation of carbonyl groups with the increase in the pickled ABS concentration and little influence on the melt flow index were observed. The samples exhibited one thermal degradation stage similar to ABSn. The increase in the pickled ABS percentage caused a slight increase in glass‐transition temperature of polybutadiene phase, and did not influence the tensile properties and hardness of samples, but decreased the impact resistance. After chrome plating, all samples were approved for visual inspection and metal layer adhesion test. Only the sample injected with pickled ABS was reproved in corrosion test, due to the oxidation of the chrome layer. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48372.

Fabrication and characterization of hollow glass beads-filled thermoplastic composite filament developed for material extrusion additive manufacturing

This paper explores the characteristics of a new lightweight thermoplastic composite filament filled with hollow glass beads developed for material extrusion additive manufacturing. Compounding experiments, which mix hollow glass beads with neat acrylonitrile butadiene styrene matrix, were conducted using a twin-screw extruder to prepare composite filaments. Two different types of hollow glass beads were selected as the fillers of composite filament due to their varying densities. In order to characterize the final components produced using composite filament, various specimens were fabricated by a material extrusion additive manufacturing process. In order to characterize the physical properties of the specimens, measurements of density and flexural testing were performed. To identify the thermomechanical effects of hollow glass beads on the neat acrylonitrile butadiene styrene matrix, thermal diffusivity and specific heat were obtained. Consequently, the thermal conductivity of the specimen was derived from its density, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity. The microstructures of the fractured interfaces of the specimens were also observed by scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results revealed that most of the hollow glass beads survived, thus bringing about lighter weight (lower density) and thermal insulation (lower thermal conductivity), which can be useful for numerous potential applications.

Effects of a Phosphorus Flame Retardant System on the Mechanical and Fire Behavior of Microcellular ABS.

The present work deals with the study of phosphorus flame retardant microcellular acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) parts and the effects of weight reduction on the fire and mechanical performance. Phosphorus-based flame retardant additives (PFR), aluminum diethylphosphinate and ammonium polyphosphate, were used as a more environmentally friendly alternative to halogenated flame retardants. A 25 wt % of such PFR system was added to the polymer using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Subsequently, microcellular parts with 10, 15, and 20% of nominal weight reduction were prepared using a MuCell® injection-molding process. The results indicate that the presence of PFR particles increased the storage modulus and decreased the impact energy determined by means of dynamic-mechanical-thermal analysis and falling weight impact tests respectively. Nevertheless, the reduction of impact energy was found to be lower in ABS/PFR samples than in neat ABS with increasing weight reduction. This effect was attributed to the lower cell sizes and higher cell densities of the microcellular core of ABS/PFR parts. All ABS/PFR foams showed a self-extinguishing behavior under UL-94 burning vertical tests, independently of the weight reduction. Gradual decreases of the second peak of heat release rate and time of combustion with similar intumescent effect were observed with increasing weight reduction under cone calorimeter tests.

Influences of the phenolic curative content and blend proportions on the properties of dynamically vulcanized natural rubber/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene blends

ABSTRACTThe vulcanization of natural rubber (NR)‐blended acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) was carried out with a phenolic curing agent by a melt‐mixing process. The NR compound was first prepared before blending with ABS. The effects of the phenolic curative contents (10, 15, and 20 phr) and blend proportions (NR/ABS ratio = 50 : 50, 60 : 40, and 70 : 30) on the mechanical, dynamic, thermal, and morphological properties of the vulcanized NR/ABS blends were investigated. The tensile strength and hardness of the blends increased with increasing ABS content, whereas the elongation at break decreased. The strength property resulting from the thermoplastic component and the vulcanized NR was an essential component for improving the elasticity of the blends. These blends showed a greater elastic response than the neat ABS. The thermal stability of the blends increased with increasing ABS component. Scanning electron micrographs of the blends showed a two‐phase morphology system. The vulcanized 60 : 40 NR/ABS blend with 15‐phr phenolic resin showed a uniform styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile phase dispersed in the vulcanized NR phase; it provided better dispersion between the NR and ABS phases, and this resulted in superior elastic properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42520.

Effect of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer on Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites

Mechanical and morphological properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites used ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) as compatibilizer were investigated. The ABS/ZnO nanocomposites without and with EVA 4 wt% were prepared by melting-blend with an internal mixer. The results showed that the addition of ZnO nanoparticles did not improve the mechanical properties of ABS/ZnO nanocomposites. The impact strength of the ABS/ZnO nanocomposites decreased with increasing ZnO content. The addition of EVA in ABS showed a decrease the impact strength but increased after adding ZnO in ABS/EVA matrix. The ABS/ZnO nanocomposites with EVA was higher the percent strain at break, but lower Young’s modulus, tensile strength and impact strength than the neat ABS and ABS/ZnO nanocomposites. The percent strain at break of ABS/ZnO nanocomposites increased with incorporation of EVA all ZnO compositions. However, the poor compatibility between ethylene in EVA and ABS matrix reduced as most of the mechanical properties of ABS/EVA/ZnO nanocomposites. The ZnO particle distributions in nanocomposites were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which observed that ZnO particles agglomerated in ABS and ABS/EVA matrix. The fractured surfaces of impact test samples were also observed through SEM and revealed that the ductile fracture of ABS was converted to brittle fracture with addition of ZnO.

Strengthening acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) with nano-sized and micron-sized calcium carbonate

ABS was reinforced by both micron-sized (MCC) and nano-sized precipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC) particles through melt compounding. The MCC/ABS composites were found to have higher modulus but lower tensile and impact strength than neat ABS. In contrast, NPCC increased modulus of ABS whilst maintained or even increased its impact strength for a certain NPCC loading range. SEM examinations revealed that NPCC particles/agglomerates were distributed in much smaller sizes in the composites than its MCC counterparts. The larger interfacial area between NPCC and ABS and cavitation-induced shear yielding in the ligament are believed to be the main reasons of the mechanical property improvement of the NPCC/ABS composites. NPCC/ABS also shows completely different rheological behavior from MCC/ABS, such as the loss of Newtonian region, high G′ at low frequencies and the appearance of yield phenomenon. A NPCC network structure was believed to be formed in the composites and induced these pseudo-solid-like rheological behaviors.

Study on the microphase structure and mechanical properties of the blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and sodium sulphonated styrene-acrylonitrile ionomer

The tensile properties of the blends containing neat acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS), styrene–acrylonitrile (SAN) and the sodium sulphonated SAN ionomer have been investigated as a function of ion content of the ionomer in the blend. The tensile toughness and strength of the blends showed maximum values at a certain ion content of the ionomer in the blend. This is attributed to the enhanced tensile properties of the SAN ionomer by introduction of ionic groups into SAN and the interfacial adhesion between the rubber and matrix phase in the blend. The interfacial adhesion was quantified by NMR solid echo experiments. The amount of interphase for the blend containing the SAN ionomer with low ion content (3·1mol%) was nearly the same as that of ABS, but it decreased with the ion content of the ionomer for the blend with ion content greater than 3·1mol%. Changing the ionomer content in the blends showed a positive deviation from the rule of mixtures in tensile properties of the blends containing the SAN ionomer with low ion content. This seems to result from the enhanced tensile properties of the SAN ionomer, interfacial adhesion between the rubber and matrix, and the stress concentration effect of the secondary particles. © 1998 SCI.