Investigation of the Effectiveness of Silicon Nitride as a Reinforcement Agent for Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol in Material Extrusion 3D Printing
Nikolaos Michailidis,
Markos Petousis,
Vassilis Saltas,
Vassilis Papadakis,
Mariza Spiridaki,
Nikolaos Mountakis,
Apostolos Argyros,
John Valsamos,
Nektarios K. Nasikas,
Nectarios Vidakis
Affiliations
Nikolaos Michailidis
Physical Metallurgy Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Markos Petousis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, 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, 16673 Vari, Greece
Nectarios Vidakis
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) were combined to create five composite materials with Si3N4 loadings ranging from 2.0 wt.% to 10.0 wt.%. The goal was to improve the mechanical properties of PETG in material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing (AM) and assess the effectiveness of Si3N4 as a reinforcing agent for this particular polymer. The process began with the production of filaments, which were subsequently fed into a 3D printer to create various specimens. The specimens were manufactured according to international standards to ensure their suitability for various tests. The thermal, rheological, mechanical, electrical, and morphological properties of the prepared samples were evaluated. The mechanical performance investigations performed included tensile, flexural, Charpy impact, and microhardness tests. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping were performed to investigate the structures and morphologies of the samples, respectively. Among all the composites tested, the PETG/6.0 wt.% Si3N4 showed the greatest improvement in mechanical properties (with a 24.5% increase in tensile strength compared to unfilled PETG polymer), indicating its potential for use in MEX 3D printing when enhanced mechanical performance is required from the PETG polymer.