A Comprehensive Optimization Course of Antimony Tin Oxide Nanofiller Loading in Polyamide 12: Printability, Quality Assessment, and Engineering Response in Additive Manufacturing
Nektarios K. Nasikas,
Markos Petousis,
Vassilis Papadakis,
Apostolos Argyros,
John Valsamos,
Katerina Gkagkanatsiou,
Dimitrios Sagris,
Constantine David,
Nikolaos Michailidis,
Emmanuel Maravelakis,
Nectarios Vidakis
Affiliations
Nektarios K. Nasikas
Division of Mathematics and Engineering Sciences, Department of Military Sciences, Hellenic Army Academy, Vari, 16673 Athens, Greece
Markos Petousis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Vassilis Papadakis
Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, 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
Katerina Gkagkanatsiou
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Dimitrios Sagris
Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Hellenic University, Serres Campus, 62124 Serres, Greece
Constantine David
Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Hellenic University, Serres Campus, 62124 Serres, Greece
Nikolaos Michailidis
Physical Metallurgy Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Emmanuel Maravelakis
Department of Electronic Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 73133 Chania, Greece
Nectarios Vidakis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
This study aimed to investigate the potential of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) as a reinforcing agent for polyamide 12 (PA12) in 3D printing by examining four mixtures with varying ATO concentrations (2.0 to 8.0 wt.%, with a 2.0 wt.% interval). These mixtures were used to fabricate filaments for the manufacturing of specimens through the material extrusion method. The mechanical properties of the resulting PA12/ATO composites and PA12 pure samples were evaluated through tensile, Charpy impact, flexural, and microhardness tests. Additionally, rheology, structure, morphology, thermal properties, pore size, and consistency in the dimensions of the samples were evaluated. Thermogravimetric analysis, along with differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive and Raman spectroscopy, and micro-computed tomography, were conducted. The results were correlated and interpreted. The greatest reinforcement was achieved with the PA12/ATO 4.0 wt.% mixture, which exhibited a 19.3% increase in tensile strength and an 18.6% increase in flexural strength compared with pure PA12 (the control samples). The Charpy impact strength and microhardness were also improved by more than 10%. These findings indicate the merit of composites with ATO in additive manufacturing, particularly in the production of components with improved mechanical performance.
