Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol/Antimony Tin Oxide Nanocomposites in Material Extrusion 3D Printing
Markos Petousis,
Nikolaos Michailidis,
Vassilis Saltas,
Vassilis Papadakis,
Mariza Spiridaki,
Nikolaos Mountakis,
Apostolos Argyros,
John Valsamos,
Nektarios K. Nasikas,
Nectarios Vidakis
Affiliations
Markos Petousis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Nikolaos Michailidis
Physical Metallurgy Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Vassilis Saltas
Department of Electronic Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 73133 Chania, Greece
Vassilis Papadakis
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH)–Hellas, N. Plastira 100m, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Mariza Spiridaki
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Nikolaos Mountakis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Apostolos Argyros
Physical Metallurgy Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
John Valsamos
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Nektarios K. Nasikas
Division of Mathematics and Engineering Sciences, Department of Military Sciences, Hellenic Army Academy, Vari, 16673 Attica, Greece
Nectarios Vidakis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
In this study, poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PETG) was combined with Antimony-doped Tin Oxide (ATO) to create five different composites (2.0–10.0 wt.% ATO). The PETG/ATO filaments were extruded and supplied to a material extrusion (MEX) 3D printer to fabricate the specimens following international standards. Various tests were conducted on thermal, rheological, mechanical, and morphological properties. The mechanical performance of the prepared nanocomposites was evaluated using flexural, tensile, microhardness, and Charpy impact tests. The dielectric and electrical properties of the prepared composites were evaluated over a broad frequency range. The dimensional accuracy and porosity of the 3D printed structure were assessed using micro-computed tomography. Other investigations include scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which were performed to investigate the structures and morphologies of the samples. The PETG/6.0 wt.% ATO composite presented the highest mechanical performance (21% increase over the pure polymer in tensile strength). The results show the potential of such nanocomposites when enhanced mechanical performance is required in MEX 3D printing applications, in which PETG is the most commonly used polymer.
