Optimizing the Rheological and Thermomechanical Response of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene/Silicon Nitride Nanocomposites in Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing
Markos Petousis,
Nikolaos Michailidis,
Vassilis M. Papadakis,
Apostolos Korlos,
Nikolaos Mountakis,
Apostolos Argyros,
Evgenia Dimitriou,
Chrysa Charou,
Amalia Moutsopoulou,
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 M. Papadakis
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), N. Plastira 100m, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Apostolos Korlos
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, International Hellenic University, 14th km Thessaloniki-N. Moudania, 57001 Thermi, 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
Evgenia Dimitriou
Physical Metallurgy Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Chrysa Charou
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Amalia Moutsopoulou
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Nectarios Vidakis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
The current research aimed to examine the thermomechanical properties of new nanocomposites in additive manufacturing (AM). Material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing was utilized to evolve acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) nanocomposites with silicon nitride nano-inclusions. Regarding the mechanical and thermal response, the fabricated 3D-printed samples were subjected to a course of standard tests, in view to evaluate the influence of the Si3N4 nanofiller content in the polymer matrix. The morphology and fractography of the fabricated filaments and samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Moreover, Raman and energy dispersive spectroscopy tests were accomplished to evaluate the composition of the matrix polymer and nanomaterials. Silicon nitride nanoparticles were proved to induce a significant mechanical reinforcement in comparison with the polymer matrix without any additives or fillers. The optimal mechanical response was depicted to the grade ABS/Si3N4 4 wt. %. An impressive increase in flexural strength (30.3%) and flexural toughness (47.2%) was found. The results validate that these novel ABS nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties can be promising materials.
