Characterization of Materials Used in 3D-Printing Technology with Different Analysis Techniques

Abstract

3D inkjet printing is mainly a powder-based method where layers of solid particles are bounded together by means of a printed liquid material to generate a 3D model. In this process, it is necessary to control different parameters that can significantly affect the quality of 3D printed parts, such as: chemical composition, structural elucidation, particles morphology, among others. For this reason, the purpose of this research was to develop a study of the chemical and physical properties of the two involved materials: the powder, hemihydrate calcium sulphate 80-90% of purity, and the binder, 2-pyrrolidone 1% of purity. Both materials were studied with different techniques to characterize different parameters. Raman and FT-IR spectrometry and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were used to study structural elucidation and presence to others phases of this sulphate powder; for knowing the kind of impurities and morphological aspect; we used scanning electron microscope (SEM), equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray detecting system (ED-XRS), and inductive coupling plasma (ICP) with optical emission spectrophotometer (OES). The results showed the real composition of solid powder and liquid binder. The images of secondary electrons obtained showed the presence of alpha and beta phase of called hemihydrated sulphate. The presence of other phases of sulphate, such as dihydrate and anhydrous, was also detected. This information is important to know the properties of the manufactured part.

Towards Functional Parts by Binder Jetting Calcium-Sulphate with Thermal Treatment Post-Processing

“…The band evolution in Region 2 ( Figure 6 b,d) is more complicated to describe because these peaks are very weak in the infrared spectra. In this region, peaks appear at 1008, 1084 and 1112 cm −1 , attributed to basanite, although the last peak could also be attributed to 2–pyrrolidone [ 33 ]. Weak changes can be observed with temperature for both treatments.…”

“…The raw material used was calcium-sulphate hemihydrate (CaSO 4 ·½H 2 O) with a solution of 2–pyrrolidone binder with a high water content. The composition of the two raw materials was studied in previous work using different analytical techniques [ 33 ]. The results using Raman spectrometry and X-ray diffraction show that the powder has all the species of the system CaSO 4 ·H 2 O: gypsum, hemihydrate and anhydrite, with hemihydrate in its beta phase as the majority species.…”

Comparative Study on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Al-Si Alloy Cast from Sand Mold and Binder Jetting Mold

“…The material used to print the binder jetting mold was a commercial powder plaster, CaSO 4 .1/2H 2 O (VisiJet PXL Core, from 3DSystems, Rock Hill, SC, USA) with a purity of 80-90%, according to the manufacturer and a commercial binder solution (VisiJet PXL Clear) based on water with 2% Pyrrolidone. The characterization of the powder and the binder were carried out by the authors in a previous work [32]. The mold was manufactured using binder jetting technology with a Project CJP 660Pro machine (3D Systems, Rock Hill, SC, USA).…”

Application of Vacuum Techniques in Shell Moulds Produced by Additive Manufacturing

“…The powder is made up of a mixture of calcium sulfate, dehydrate, hemihydrate and anhydrous phases. In addition, it has some impurities or additives such as aluminium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, silicon [33]. The distribution of powder particles is D90 = 70.12 µm and the bulk particle density is 0.912 g/cm 3 [44].…”

“…Binders such as furan are predominantly used in foundry applications, but they generate toxic and carcinogenic gases, harmful to operators and the environment. These aspects lead to important limitations, therefore it is necessary to investigate alternative materials for safer and environmentally friendly casting [33]. Rodriguez et al [34] demonstrated that the manufacture of moulds using the BJ technique with alternative materials can be an option for the use of furan resins.…”