PP/organoclay nanocomposites for fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing

Abstract

3D printing has attracted a lot of attention over the past three decades. In particular the Fuse Filament Fabrication (FFF) technique, general materials require low shrinkage during cooling and viscous behavior during extrusion through a nozzle. Semi-crystalline thermoplastics and their composites are of the relevance of new materials for 3D printing. However, the crystalline structures, for instance, may have a favorable impact on their printability. In this study, polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt extrusion using a twin-screw extruder. The effects of organoclay on the thermal, rheological and morphological properties were studied to evaluate the possibility of using the polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites as the FFF 3D printing feedstock. Dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (D18) was successfully used to modify the clay surfaces, providing a good dispersity and wettability of organoclay in the PP matrix.