Optimization of mechanical properties of glass‐spheres‐filled polypropylene composites for extrusion‐based additive manufacturing

• DOI: 10.1002/pc.24701
• Publication Date: 2017-12-27T04:18:37Z
• Authors: Martin Spoerk; Chethan Savandaiah; Florian Arbeiter; Janak Sapkota; Clemens Holzer
• Keywords: Polypropylene; Glass microsphere; Borosilicate glass

Polypropylene (PP) parts produced by extrusion‐based additive manufacturing (EB‐AM) suffer from warpage issues due to their high degree of crystallinity and orientations introduced during printing. These can be overcome the addition spherical fillers. However, low aspect ratio filler filling degrees necessary for preventing downgrade mechanical properties, especially toughness. This study aims at optimizing a PP‐compound containing glass microspheres application in EB‐AM maximizing matrix–filler compatibility therefore printability, tensile properties toughness, while still counteracting dimensional inaccuracies. A detailed on tensile, fracture, thermal, rheological, impact various compounds different types was conducted. It shown that applications, PP based borosilicate spheres outperform filled with conventionally used inorganic soda lime glass. The proposed optimized composite exhibits an exceptional interfacial adhesion between matrix homogeneous distribution. offers improved processability up yield point comparable those neat PP. In concluding test printed composites, system exhibited energies 80% higher than POLYM. COMPOS., 40:638–651, 2019. © 2017 Society Plastics Engineers