Carbon Fiber Effect on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites Produced by Additive Manufacturing

The paper explores the products made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a common thermoplastic polymer comprising up to 10 wt.% carbon fibers. These products are obtained by extrusion-based 3D printing. The mechanical properties of the obtained specimens are studied by tensile and flexural strength testing with regard to the carbon fiber content. The scanning electron microscopy is used to study the structure of the fracture surface of the tested specimens. The physical-and-mechanical properties of polymer specimens and products produced therefrom are investigated with respect to the different content of carbon fibers. Secondary ABS polymer subjected to natural ageing for 17000 hours is used to prepare the composite material. Described are the production techniques for the composite filament and the filament fabrication process, which is optimum from the viewpoint of achieving the improved properties of physical-and-mechanical properties of the specimens obtained.