Parameters Influencing the Emission of Ultrafine Particles during 3D Printing

Abstract

This paper presents a complex and extensive experimental evaluation of fine particle emissions released by an FDM 3D printer for four of the most common printing materials (ABS, PLA, PET-G, and TPU). These thermoplastic filaments were examined at three printing temperatures within their recommended range. In addition, these measurements were extended using various types of printing nozzles, which influenced the emissions considerably. This research is based on more than a hundred individual measurements for which a standardized printing method was developed. The study presents information about differences between particular printing conditions in terms of the amount of fine particles emitted as well as the particle size distributions during printing periods. This expands existing knowledge about the emission of ultrafine particles during 3D printing, and it can help reduce the emissions of these devices to achieve cleaner and safer 3D printer operations.

Risk assessment and toxicity effects of materials used during additive manufacturing with FDM technology

“…Chýlek i wsp. [24] wskazali natomiast, że parametry konstrukcyjne drukarki, takie jak średnica dyszy, nie mogą być pomijane jako czynnik wpływający na emisję cząstek podczas druku 3D. Ponadto szybkie zmiany termodynamiczne, w tym bardzo szybki wzrost temperatury i ciśnienia, mogą prowadzić do zmian w składzie substancji chemicznych powstających w procesie [23].…”

Use of Wood in Additive Manufacturing: Review and Future Prospects

“…Industrial processing of thermoplastics at temperatures of 180–280 °C, where printing is mainly done, leads to undesirable emissions of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and particles. The most critical period seems to be the beginning of the printing process, when the particles emitted are usually at their highest concentration and smallest size [ 93 ]. Reducing the nozzle temperature, selecting a material that operates at a lower nozzle temperature and using lower-emission filaments (e.g., PLA filaments, which have low ultrafine particles (UFP) [ 94 ]) can reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles [ 95 ].…”

Analysis of ways to reduce potential health risk from ultrafine and fine particles emitted from 3D printers in the makerspace

“…In many previous studies, experiments were carried out in experimental chambers to analyze the properties and concentrations of ultrafine and fine particles emitted from 3D printers, and the results confirmed that the 3D printers emit large amounts of ultrafine and fine particles. [17][18][19][20] Weber et al 4 measured the ultrafine and fine particle emissions from the use of the most commonly used filament materials in FDM-3D printers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA), through an experiment in the experimental chamber and reported that the particle size ranges from 11.5 to 11.6 nm, and ABS shows an emission rate 10 times higher than that of PLA. This result can be understood in that, due to its high melting temperature, ABS emits more particles than PLA.…”