Tailoring physico-mechanical properties and rheological behavior of ABS filaments for FDM via blending with SEBS TPE

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the development of the three-dimensional (3D) printing filaments based on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer, with tailored viscoelastic properties and controlled flow during the 3D printing process. Design/methodology/approach In this investigation, ABS was blended with various amounts of SEBS via a melt mixing process. Then the ABS/SEBS filaments were prepared by a single-screw extruder and printed by the FDM method. The rheological properties were determined using an MCR 501 from Anton-Paar. The melt flow behavior of ABS/SEBS filaments was determined. The morphology of the filaments was studied by scanning electron microscope and the mechanical (tensile and impact) properties, surface roughness and void content of printed samples were investigated. Findings The rheological results can accurately interpret what drives the morphology and mechanical properties’ changes in the blends. The impact strength, toughness, elongation-at-break and anisotropy in mechanical properties of ABS samples were improved concurrently by adding 40 Wt.% of SEBS. The optimal tensile properties of blend containing 40 Wt.% SEBS samples were obtained at −45°/+45° raster angle, 0.05 mm layer thickness and XYZ build orientation. Optimized samples showed an 890% increase in elongation compared to neat ABS. Also, the impact strength of ABS samples showed a 60% improvement by adding 40 Wt.% SEBS. Originality/value The paper simultaneously evaluates the effects of material composition and 3D printing parameters (layer thickness, raster angle and build orientation) on the rheology, morphology, mechanical properties and surface roughness. Also, a mechanical properties comparison between printed samples and their compression-molded counterpart was conducted.

Effect of Process Parameters on Density and Mechanical Behaviour of a Selective Laser Melted 17-4PH Stainless Steel Alloy

“…It can be seen that the logarithmic line slope of the material viscosity and shear rate in Fig. 6, the value of the epidemic index n of the sample can be calculated, that is n=0.2898, [12] so the material has good selective laser melting forming property.…”

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“…Prajapati et al (2018) measured the temperature distribution in the support area during the AM process by using infrared thermal imaging to improve the thermal performance of the printing bed. Different structural forms have diversified requirements for processing environment, and different printing materials also exhibits unique physical properties (Sayanjali et al , 2020; Alhallak et al , 2020).…”

Design of Shape Memory Thermoplastic Material Systems for FDM-Type Additive Manufacturing

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