Compressive Properties of Additively Manufactured Metal-Reinforced PLA and ABS Composites.

The development of multi-material filaments has enabled fused filament fabrication-based additive manufacturing to address demand for high-performance lightweight multifunctional components. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene based filaments with metallic reinforcements of magnetic iron (MI), stainless steel (SS), bronze (Br), copper (Cu), Bismuth (Bi), and Tungsten (W) were investigated to elucidate their complex processing-structure-property relationships. The microstructure of 3D-printed materials were characterized by microscopy and analyzed to determine the metal cross-sectional area percentage and the relationship between metal reinforcement, the polymer matrix, and porosity.

Additively Manufactured Carbon-Reinforced ABS Honeycomb Composite Structures and Property Prediction by Machine Learning.

The expansive utility of polymeric 3D-printing technologies and demand for high- performance lightweight structures has prompted the emergence of various carbon-reinforced polymer composite filaments. However, detailed characterization of the processing-microstructure-property relationships of these materials is still required to realize their full potential. In this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and two carbon-reinforced ABS variants, with either carbon nanotubes (CNT) or 5 wt.

Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing of High Temperature Polyetherimide (PEI)-Based Polymer Systems for Lightweight Aerospace Applications.

Rapid innovations in 3-D printing technology have created a demand for multifunctional composites. Advanced polymers like amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) can create robust, lightweight, and efficient structures while providing high-temperature stability. This work manufactured ULTEM, a PEI-based polymer, and carbon-fiber-infused ULTEM multi-material composites with varying layering patterns (e.

Effect of Reinforcements and 3-D Printing Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Polymer Composites.

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) systems utilize a wide variety of commercially available filaments, including Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), as well as their variants. However, the effect of filament composition, reinforcements (chopped fibers and nanotubes), and 3-D printing variables on the microstructure and thermomechanical behavior is not well understood, and systematic studies are needed. In this work, different types of ABS materials with and without carbon fiber and carbon nanotube reinforcements were printed with multiple print layer heights.

Additive Manufacturing and Characterization of Metal Particulate Reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA) Polymer Composites.

Affordable commercial desktop 3-D printers and filaments have introduced additive manufacturing to all disciplines of science and engineering. With rapid innovations in 3-D printing technology and new filament materials, material vendors are offering specialty multifunctional metal-reinforced polymers with unique properties. Studies are necessary to understand the effects of filament composition, metal reinforcements, and print parameters on microstructure and mechanical behavior.

Electrical and Thermal Characterization of 3D Printed Thermoplastic Parts with Embedded Wires for High Current-Carrying Applications.

Fabrication of parts exhibiting multi-functionality has recently been complemented by hybrid polymer extrusion additive manufacturing in combination with wire embedding technology. While much mechanical characterization has been performed on parts produced with fused deposition modeling, limited characterization has been performed when combined electrical and thermal loads are applied to 3D printed multi-material parts. As such, this work describes the design, fabrication, and testing of 3D printed thermoplastic coupons containing embedded copper wires that carried current.