Surface Laser-Marking and Mechanical Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer Composites with Organically Modified Montmorillonite

Abstract

In this study, organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) was prepared by modifying MMT with a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The obtained OMMT of different loading contents (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt %) was melt-blended with poly(acrylonitrile- co -butadiene- co -styrene) (ABS) to prepare a series of ABS/OMMT composites, which were laser marked using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser beam of 1064 nm under different laser current processes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), color difference spectrometer, optical microscope, water contact angle tests, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the morphology, structure, and properties of the laser-patterned ABS composites. The effects of the addition of OMMT and the laser marking process on the mechanical properties of ABS/OMMT composites were investigated through mechanical property tests. The results show that the obtained ABS/OMMT composites have enhanced laser marking performance, compared to the ABS. When the OMMT content is 2 wt % and the laser current intensity is 9 A, the marking on ABS composites has the highest contrast (Δ E = 36.38) and sharpness, and the quick response (QR) code fabricated can be scanned and identified with a mobile app. SEM and water contact angle tests showed that the holes, narrow cracks, and irregular protrusion are formed on the composite surface after laser marking, resulting in a more hydrophobic surface and an increased water contact angle. Raman spectroscopy and XRD indicate that OMMT can absorb the near-infrared laser energy, undergo photo thermal conversion, and cause the pyrolysis and carbonization of ABS to form black marking, and the crystal structure itself does not change significantly. When the 2 wt % of OMMT is loaded, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength of ABS/OMMT are increased by 15, 20, and 14%, respectively, compared to ABS. Compared with the unmarked ABS/OMMT, the defects including holes and cracks generated on the surface of the marked one lead to the decreased mechanical property. The desirable combination of high contrast laser marking performance and mechanical properties can be achieved at an OMMT loading content of 2 wt % and a laser current intensity of 9 A. This research work provides a simple, economical, and environmentally friendly method for laser marking of engineering materials such as ABS.

Performance evaluation on particle‐reinforced rigid/flexible composites via fused deposition modeling3Dprinting

“…However, it is difficult to judge the particle distribution only from the enlarged image, not quantitative comparison. 20,21 The processing technology of image information is an objective method to replace human perception. 22 We used image-processing technology to extract and calculate the morphology characteristics of carbon fibers in the thin film, obtained quantitative analysis values, and established a relationship function with the performance of the film.…”

Mechanochemical synthesis of multifunctional kaolin@BiVO4 hybrid pigments for coloring and reinforcing of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene

“…[5][6][7][8] Among of various fillers, clay minerals have been recognized one of the promising functional fillers owing to the abundance in nature, green and nontoxicity, unique one/two-dimensional morphologies and low price. [9][10][11][12] Furthermore, with the improvement of living standards, people's requirements toward many consumer goods are no longer limited to a single function, and much attention is paid to the visual effect pursuing the original function. Therefore, different organic pigments were loaded on clay minerals, and then the composite fillers were incorporated into polymer matrix to provide color property and enhance the mechanical properties.…”

“…In order to enhance the mechanical and thermal performance and simultaneously reduce the cost of ABS products, various fillers were frequently incorporated into polymer matrix 5–8 . Among of various fillers, clay minerals have been recognized one of the promising functional fillers owing to the abundance in nature, green and nontoxicity, unique one/two‐dimensional morphologies and low price 9–12 …”

Preparation and Laser Marking Properties of Poly(propylene)/Molybdenum Sulfide Composite Materials

“…Usually, the method of adding laser marking additives can effectively improve the laser marking performance of PP. General laser marking additives used in industrial production include inorganic laser marking additives, which are mostly metal oxide powders, 22 such as ferroferric oxide (Fe 3O4 ), 23 bismuth oxide (Bi 2 O 3 ), 24 , 25 bismuth oxychloride (BiClO), 26 antimony trioxide (Sb 2 O 3 ), 27 graphene, 28 , 29 montmorillonite, 30 carbon nanotube, 31 and other inorganic fillers. After laser irradiation, the composite material undergoes color changes on its surface by absorbing the laser energy.…”