Role of Compatibilizer in 3D Printed Objects

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, 3D printing has made strides from purely the interests of hobbyists and inventors to the mainstream of industrial and commercial interests. This is because of additive manufacturing’s allowance of customization, and it has spurred large grants and funding to improve the technology towards scaling for industrial use and production. The present research examines the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts, asking what is the process for knowing which materials and properties provide the best properties for scaling up to Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) developed at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL). Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) and nylon are two common printing materials in the world of 3D printing, and the addition of Styrene-Maleic-Anhydride (SMA) to the ABS can compatibilized the blend. Blends and their controls were tested as ASTM D638 dogbones printed on a Makerbot Replicator 2X (small scale) in two separate orientations. Tensile testing of the small-scale samples showed that 5% (w/w) mixture of SMA in ABS compounded with a 60% nylon 40% ABS (w/w) showed a 60% increase in break strength in the x-axis versus ABS alone. The modulus of the 5% (w/w) mixture had increased by 68% over Nylon and 8% over ABS printed in the same orientation. BAAM-scale tests were done as ASTM D6272, printed at ORNL’s Blue Gantry. Tests showed improvement in the Z/X ratios of nylon in both modulus and break strength by compatibilization with ABS/SMA mixtures. Break surface imaging will also be discussed.