Performance comparison of the 3D-printed and injection-molded PLA and its elastomer blend and fiber composites


KAYNAK C., Varsavas S. D.

JOURNAL OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS, cilt.32, sa.4, ss.501-520, 2019 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 32 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2019
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/0892705718772867
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.501-520
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: 3D-printing, injection molding, polylactide, glass fiber, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, 3D, NANOCOMPOSITES
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of polylactide (PLA)-based materials shaped by the traditional injection molding technique versus three-dimensional (3D)-printing additive manufacturing. Comparisons were performed not only for neat PLA but also for its thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) blend and for its E-glass fiber (GF)-reinforced composites. Performance comparison of the injection-molded and 3D-printed specimens was especially conducted to compare their mechanical properties (strength-modulus-toughness) by tensile, flexural, and fracture toughness tests. Other comparisons such as their macro-level appearances, fracture surface morphology, and thermal behavior were also performed by photographic images, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. It can be concluded that the use of 3D-printing in the shaping of neat PLA and PLA/TPU blend was generally very beneficial; on the other hand, due to the differences in the orientation of the GF reinforcements, there could be certain reductions in the mechanical performance of PLA/GF and PLA/TPU/GF composite specimens.