Characterization of partially soluble filament for use in material extrusion 3D printing technology

Abstract

The implementation of material extrusion 3D printing for technological purposes necessitates a thorough understanding of the chosen material. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of Gel‐Lay™ filament, providing valuable insights for future research directed towards the application of the characterized filament. Gel‐Lay™ filament comprises a blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The material underwent evaluation based on its morphology, chemical composition, thermal behavior, and dynamic‐mechanical properties. The characterization process yielded insights into the type of TPE material and transition temperatures, offering avenues for enhancing the printing process. Furthermore, the study explored the process of PVA extraction from printed parts using three different methodologies to determine the approach resulting in the most significant difference between the mass of the as‐printed part and the mass after PVA extraction. With PVA removal, the parts became porous which makes this material very promising for different applications.