Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene TiO2 and ATO Nanocomposites

Abstract

In order to enhance the mechanical performance of three-dimensional (3D) printed structures fabricated via commercially available fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers, novel nanocomposite filaments were produced herein following a melt mixing process, and further 3D printed and characterized. Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Antimony (Sb) doped Tin Oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles (NPs), hereafter denoted as ATO, were selected as fillers for a polymeric acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) thermoplastic matrix at various weight % (wt%) concentrations. Tensile and flexural test specimens were 3D printed, according to international standards. It was proven that TiO2 filler enhanced the overall tensile strength by 7%, the flexure strength by 12%, and the micro-hardness by 6%, while for the ATO filler, the corresponding values were 9%, 13%, and 6% respectively, compared to unfilled ABS. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed the size of TiO2 (40 ± 10 nm) and ATO (52 ± 11 nm) NPs. Raman spectroscopy was performed for the TiO2 and ATO NPs as well as for the 3D printed nanocomposites to verify the polymer structure and the incorporated TiO2 and ATO nanocrystallites in the polymer matrix. The scope of this work was to fabricate novel nanocomposite filaments using commercially available materials with enhanced overall mechanical properties that industry can benefit from.

Enhanced Mechanical, Thermal and Antimicrobial Properties of Additively Manufactured Polylactic Acid with Optimized Nano Silica Content

“…Polylactide is a famous polymer used in 3D printing, with an “easy-to-print” behavior. It is also referred that it has a much better processability for filament fabrication, when used in the development of nanocomposite materials [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Thermoplastic Polymers with Nanosilver Addition—Microstructural, Surface and Mechanical Evaluation during a 36-Month Deionized Water Incubation Period

“…As described above, due to their unique properties, polymers commonly serve as matrices of biomedical composites used to produce medical equipment, implants and parts of prostheses. In order to enhance the composites’ mechanical properties and improve their bioactive properties, a wide range of modifiers may be applied, such as: polymeric and carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, boron carbide, boron nitride and graphene oxide nanoparticles [ 12 , 13 ], ceramic particles, hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, calcium phosphate [ 14 , 15 ], titanium dioxide and bioactive glass [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Noble metals, such as silver and copper, are also applied as nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the bactericidal properties of polymeric composites [ 19 ].…”

Sustainable Additive Manufacturing: Mechanical Response of High-Density Polyethylene over Multiple Recycling Processes

“…Current research in the field seeks to optimize and improve the properties of recycled polymers and especially those of polyolefin [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Regarding the 3D printing of thermoplastics and recycled thermoplastics, there are several studies available that focus on the mechanical properties of fused filament fabrication (FFF) specimens [9,13,14], while the studies on recycled additive manufacturing materials in general are very limited [9]. Regarding the recycling of HDPE, this study presents a global recycling circular economy model ( Figure 1) with the four main parameters affecting the process of recycling.…”

“…All these parameters are crucial for the economy of the recycling process and the material's behavior after it is recycled. In literature, only a few studies are available on the mechanical properties of bulk and recycled HDPE [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] and HDPE composites [12][13][14][15][16][17][18], even less on the mechanical properties of HDPE 3D printed specimens [19], and no literature is available on the recycling of FFF HDPE specimens.…”