Additive Manufacturing and Characterization of Metal Particulate Reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA) Polymer Composites

Polymers

Jonathan A. Salem¹  Michael C. Halbig¹  Lily Kuentz²  Anton Salem³  Ved S. Vakharia⁴  Mrityunjay Singh⁵ 

[1] NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, USA;NASA Intern Currently at Department of Geology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA;NASA Intern Currently at VulcanForms, Inc., Burlington, MA 01803, USA;NASA Pathway Intern, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA 92092, USA;Ohio Aerospace Institute, Cleveland, OH 44142, USA;

关键词: Polylactic Acid (PLA);    3-D printing;    polymer composites;    multifunctionality;    fused filament fabrication;    metal-reinforced PLA;   

DOI  :  10.3390/polym13203545

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Affordable commercial desktop 3-D printers and filaments have introduced additive manufacturing to all disciplines of science and engineering. With rapid innovations in 3-D printing technology and new filament materials, material vendors are offering specialty multifunctional metal-reinforced polymers with unique properties. Studies are necessary to understand the effects of filament composition, metal reinforcements, and print parameters on microstructure and mechanical behavior. In this study, densities, metal vol%, metal cross-sectional area %, and microstructure of various metal-reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA) filaments were characterized by multiple methods. Comparisons are made between polymer microstructures before and after printing, and the effect of printing on the metal-polymer interface adhesion has been demonstrated. Tensile response and fracture toughness as a function of metal vol% and print height was determined. Tensile and fracture toughness tests show that PLA filaments containing approximately 36 vol% of bronze or copper particles significantly reduce mechanical properties. The mechanical response of PLA with 12 and 18 vol% of magnetic iron and stainless steel particles, respectively, is similar to that of pure PLA with a slight decrease in ultimate tensile strength and fracture toughness. These results show the potential for tailoring the concentration of metal reinforcements to provide multi-functionality without sacrificing mechanical properties.

【 授权许可】

Unknown