PP in 3D printing – Technical and economic aspects

Abstract

FDM is 3D printing technology using mainly PLA and ABS as filament materials. PP has close characteristics to PLA and, due to that, is a potential material for for deposition. Paper aims to analyse the behaviour of PP during heating cycle specific to 3D printing process. Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the deposited strings have been performed. They revealed less stiffness of the PP deposition comparing to PLA, which is due to the lower viscosity of PP. DSC Thermal analysis has been done at it revealed a 30% higher heat flux in PP comparing to PLA and that increases its fluidity. It was recorded a difference between the elongation viscosity of the PP filament and the PP deposited by FDM process. After 5s the deposited PP proves higher values for the elongation viscosity. Dynamic shear rheology measurements the was applied on samples deformed under 210 kN at 190oC. It has been found that the PP requires lower storage energy and that means that it has a lower viscosity for the entire range of applied frequencies. In the same time, the complex viscosities prove different behavior. To improve the control of the deposition shape, it is necessary to reduce the extrusion temperature with 4-5%. That leads to economy in power consumption.