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Additive Manufacturing and Characterization of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Composites Containing Metal ReinforcementsAdditive manufacturing of polymeric systems using 3D printing has become quite popular recently due to rapid growth and availability of low cost and open source 3D printers. Two widely used 3D printing filaments are based on polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) systems. PLA is much more environmentally friendly in comparison to ABS since it is made from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, and other starches as precursors. Recently, polylactic acid-based metal powder containing composite filaments have emerged which could be utilized for multifunctional applications. The composite filaments have higher density than pure PLA, and the majority of the materials volume is made up of polylactic acid. In order to utilize functionalities of composite filaments, printing behavior and properties of 3-D printed composites need to be characterized and compared with the pure PLA materials. In this study, pure PLA and composite specimens with different metallic reinforcements (Copper, Bronze, Tungsten, Iron, etc) were 3D printed at various layer heights and resulting microstructures and properties were characterized. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) behavior of filaments with different reinforcements were studied. The microscopy results show an increase in porosity between 3-D printed regular PLA and the metal composite PLA samples, which could produce weaker mechanical properties in the metal composite materials. Tensile strength and fracture toughness behavior of specimens as a function of print layer height will be presented.
Document ID
20160010284
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Kuentz, Lily
(Lake Ridge Academy North Ridgeville, OH, United States)
Salem, Anton
(Hawken School Gates Mill, OH, United States)
Singh, M.
(Ohio Aerospace Inst. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Halbig, M. C.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Salem, J. A.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2016
Publication Date
January 24, 2016
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN29146
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference and Expo on Advanced Ceramics and Composites
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: January 24, 2016
End Date: January 29, 2016
Sponsors: American Ceramic Society
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 826611.04.03.01
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC13BA10B
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
brass
strength
toughness
tungsten
steel
polylactic acid
additive manufacturing
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