Physical Chemistry analisys of the high density polyethylene processed by the 3D printing – fused and deposition modelling - FDM

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the influence of process conditions for 3D printing on the final properties of prototypes of high density polyethylene (HDPE) using the method of the fused deposition modeling. Prototypes for type-V tensile testing according to ASTM D 638 were printed; They were made to three processing temperatures: 220, 240 and 260°C. Control parameters for printing were kept constant in all the samples. The printed samples were characterized by X–ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile test, melt now index test, and, shrinkage test. The results of the characterization of the printed samples and of the original material were compared. These results demonstrated that the printing conditions employed in this study caused a slight change in the structural characteristics of the printed samples compared to the unprocessed original material, there being a slight increase in crystallinity (about 1,3 to 3%) for HDPE which was printed. In addition, it has been proven that the degree of crystallinity was slightly greater on the inside that on the surface of the printed samples, because of uneven cooling on the surface and inside of these samples. The slight change in the degree of crystallinity was not enough to cause change in the elastic modulus and yield strength compared to the original HDPE. Other results showed that there was not significant change involving bond formation, break chains, and, thermal degradation by the effect of the processing conditions used during printing.