On the 3D printing of polypropylene and post-processing optimization of thermomechanical properties

Melanie Moczadlo; Qiyi Chen; Xiang Cheng; Zane J. Smith; Eugene B. Caldona; Rigoberto C. Advincula

doi:10.1557/s43579-023-00329-2

On the 3D printing of polypropylene and post-processing optimization of thermomechanical properties

Melanie Moczadlo, Qiyi Chen, Xiang Cheng, Zane J. Smith, Eugene B. Caldona, Rigoberto C. Advincula

Macromolecular Nanomaterials

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) is a highly desirable polyolefin in various plastic industries due to its outstanding thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance. Therefore, the 3D printing of PP is an interesting avenue to explore in digitized manufacturing, where more freedom in structural designs is available for new and extended applications, such as high-performance engineering parts. In this work, we 3D printed PP and studied the effect of printing parameters and post-processing conditions on the printed polymer’s thermomechanical behavior. Results showed that nozzle and bed temperatures of 220 and 100°C produced a high printing quality. Infill percentages between 80 and 90%, coupled with a 4-h annealing at 110ºC, also resulted in optimal printed properties. It is thought that PP can be potentially blended with polyethylene or other vinyl polymers for a more extended 3D printing utility and practical applications in rapid tooling and prototyping. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	169-176
Number of pages	8
Journal	MRS Communications
Volume	13
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-023-00329-2
State	Published - Feb 2023

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Governor’s Chair Funds, the University of Tennessee System, and the Center for Materials Processing (CMP)-TCE. Technical support from Malvern Panalytical, Frontier Laboratories and Quantum Analytics are also acknowledged. Work (or part of this work) was conducted by ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials and Sciences by RCA, a US Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility. The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Governor’s Chair Funds, the University of Tennessee System, and the Center for Materials Processing (CMP)-TCE. Technical support from Malvern Panalytical, Frontier Laboratories and Quantum Analytics are also acknowledged. Work (or part of this work) was conducted by ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials and Sciences by RCA, a US Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility.

Keywords

3D printing
Additives
Adhesion
Polymer
Strength
Toughness

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10.1557/s43579-023-00329-2

Cite this

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abstract = "Polypropylene (PP) is a highly desirable polyolefin in various plastic industries due to its outstanding thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance. Therefore, the 3D printing of PP is an interesting avenue to explore in digitized manufacturing, where more freedom in structural designs is available for new and extended applications, such as high-performance engineering parts. In this work, we 3D printed PP and studied the effect of printing parameters and post-processing conditions on the printed polymer{\textquoteright}s thermomechanical behavior. Results showed that nozzle and bed temperatures of 220 and 100°C produced a high printing quality. Infill percentages between 80 and 90%, coupled with a 4-h annealing at 110ºC, also resulted in optimal printed properties. It is thought that PP can be potentially blended with polyethylene or other vinyl polymers for a more extended 3D printing utility and practical applications in rapid tooling and prototyping. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]",

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AU - Caldona, Eugene B.

AU - Advincula, Rigoberto C.

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N2 - Polypropylene (PP) is a highly desirable polyolefin in various plastic industries due to its outstanding thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance. Therefore, the 3D printing of PP is an interesting avenue to explore in digitized manufacturing, where more freedom in structural designs is available for new and extended applications, such as high-performance engineering parts. In this work, we 3D printed PP and studied the effect of printing parameters and post-processing conditions on the printed polymer’s thermomechanical behavior. Results showed that nozzle and bed temperatures of 220 and 100°C produced a high printing quality. Infill percentages between 80 and 90%, coupled with a 4-h annealing at 110ºC, also resulted in optimal printed properties. It is thought that PP can be potentially blended with polyethylene or other vinyl polymers for a more extended 3D printing utility and practical applications in rapid tooling and prototyping. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

AB - Polypropylene (PP) is a highly desirable polyolefin in various plastic industries due to its outstanding thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance. Therefore, the 3D printing of PP is an interesting avenue to explore in digitized manufacturing, where more freedom in structural designs is available for new and extended applications, such as high-performance engineering parts. In this work, we 3D printed PP and studied the effect of printing parameters and post-processing conditions on the printed polymer’s thermomechanical behavior. Results showed that nozzle and bed temperatures of 220 and 100°C produced a high printing quality. Infill percentages between 80 and 90%, coupled with a 4-h annealing at 110ºC, also resulted in optimal printed properties. It is thought that PP can be potentially blended with polyethylene or other vinyl polymers for a more extended 3D printing utility and practical applications in rapid tooling and prototyping. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

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On the 3D printing of polypropylene and post-processing optimization of thermomechanical properties

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