An Analysis of Selected Technological Parameters’ Influences on the Tribological Properties of Products Manufactured Using the FFF Technique

Abstract

This study investigates how layer deposition in printing 3D models made of polyetherimide (PEI) using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique affects resistance of these models to abrasive wear. Samples made by additive manufacturing with different setting of build orientation and path generation strategy of extruded fibers were used in the experiment. The experiments were conducted on a tribometer according to the ASTM G65-16 standard. The friction force, normal force, and temperature in the contact area during the tribometer operation were measured using a strain gauge sensor. The tribometer allowed us to perform the tribological experiments using a rubber-coated or a metal disc without a lubricant in the so-called “dry” operation. Following the ASTM G65-16 standard, a rubber-coated disc and Fe3Al2 (SiO4)3 garnet abrasive were used for the wear resistance tests. The analysis of experimental data showed correlations among orientation selection, the strategy of layer deposition by the FFF technique, and the surface life in terms of abrasive wear. The results of this research also showed the suitability of the chosen building orientation and deposition strategy for part production by additive manufacturing, depending on the required tribological properties, such as the coefficient of friction (yield path) and wear behavior. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that continuity of wear and friction force depends on the path traveled under the model production orientation. The size of wear (material loss) ranged from 0.451–0.809%. It was shown that the weight loss of the sample under loading was greater, on average, with the chosen fiber orientation strategy in the Z direction than in the X direction.

Research of the Pre-Processing Strategy Influence on the Tribological Properties of PEI Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication Technology

“…Garnet abrasive was used in this experiment. Garnet sand is a natural material [ 24 ]. The composition of the abrasive used is shown in Table 2 .…”

“…A study by Mitaľ et al [ 24 ] investigated the influence of processing parameters on wear performance of 3D printed parts. Abrasion resistance of PEI material showed the suitability of the chosen build orientation and deposition strategy for the production of parts by additive manufacturing, depending on the required tribological properties such as friction coefficient and wear behavior at 3D printing technological parameters such as layer height of 0.254 mm and filament width of 0.5 mm.…”

Surface Properties and Tribological Behavior of Additively Manufactured Components: A Systematic Review

“…Furthermore, investigations have been carried out on polylactic acid (PLA) [79,80,[84][85][86], which is very widely used in the AM industry, as a composite with bronze particles [87], silicon [84], and HT-PLA [86], which is suitable for higher temperatures. Finally, the following materials represented the research object of the considered publications and were investigated in detail with regard to their tribological behavior: polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) [80,86,88], polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) [89], polyether sulfone (PES) [90], PES/BF (basalt fiber reinforced) [90], polyetherimide (PEI) [91], and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) [92].…”

“…In conclusion, COF and wear rate increased with an increase in the printing temperature or layer thickness for ASA-printed specimens. A further polymer being investigated was PEI, which was FFF-printed with different build directions and layer deposition strategies and tested under dry conditions with an Fe 3 Al 2 (SiO 4 ) 3 garnet abrasive [91]. The study indicated that printing in the horizontal orientation (X) and a layer deposition strategy of 0 • and 90 • reduced material wear and concomitantly exhibited a low COF.…”

Research of the Pre-processing Strategy Influence on the Tribological Properties of PEI Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication Technology.

“…A study by Mital' et al [24] investigated the influence of processing parameters on wear performance of 3D printed parts. Abrasion resistance of PEI material showed the suitability of the chosen build orientation and deposition strategy for the production of parts by additive manufacturing, depending on the required tribological properties such as friction coefficient and wear behavior at 3D printing technological parameters such as layer height of 0.254 mm and filament width of 0.5 mm.…”