Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites for 3D Printing

Abstract

Additive manufacturing has a great potential since it allows the production of objects with complex geometries, often without auxiliary tools, while still using a wide range of materials. An example is Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), one of the technologies frequently referred to as 3D printing. One of the most widely used thermoplastic material in FFF is poly(lactic acid) (PLA). This polymer has superior mechanical properties compared to common polymers, in particular the modulus of elasticity, becoming a good substitute in agricultural applications and packaging. However, in sectors such as automotive and electronics, the application of PLA has some disadvantages, such as: low thermal resistance; low thermal deflection temperature; low crystallization rate and reduced impact resistance. With the rising demand for 3D printing solutions, especially for small size parts with specific properties, the development of new materials to suit those demands became of the utmost importance. Thus, one solution that has been adopted in recent years is the incorporation of nanoparticles in the thermoplastics. In this paper, an experimental setup was developed regarding the processing and characterization of two sets of PLA nanocomposites, one with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and another with graphene. The processed nanocomposites’ properties were tested through mechanical and melt flow index characterizations to study their suitability for 3D printing.