The Effect of a Temperature-Controlled Chamber on the Mechanical Properties and Shape Stability in the Additive Manufacturing of Engineering Polymers (Theffect3D)
Project no. 32378 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2024
Summary
<p>In additive manufacturing of engineering polymers, maintaining dimensional stability, producing within tolerances, and avoiding defects are among the current research topics. Temperature variations during layer-by-layer fabrication directly affect nozzle flow behavior, adhesion to the build platform, and overall dimensional stability. Therefore, the build chamber temperature is a critical parameter for defect-free production and must be carefully controlled.</p><p>Within the scope of this project, a heated build chamber system was designed and manufactured to investigate the effects of chamber temperature on the additive manufacturing of engineering polymers such as ABS and PA. Specimens were produced at different chamber temperatures and cooling rates, followed by tensile, impact, and flexural tests. In addition, dimensional stability and porosity structures were analyzed using 3D scanning and Micro-CT, enabling correlations between processing parameters and mechanical performance to be established.</p><p>The results showed that ABS specimens exhibited optimum performance at 101 °C chamber temperature, where both tensile and flexural strengths reached their maximum values. Although impact strength remained nearly constant, ductility increased at higher chamber temperatures, while excessive temperatures led to a reduction in strength. Micro-CT results confirmed that porosity was minimized and more homogeneous structures were obtained at 101 °C.</p><p>For PA specimens, mechanical properties were only slightly influenced by chamber temperature, with optimum values observed in the 40–45 °C range. Impact strength remained nearly unchanged, while tensile elongation increased and fracture elongation decreased with temperature rise. Micro-CT analysis revealed that higher chamber temperatures reduced pore size and promoted more uniform distribution.</p><p>In conclusion, the optimum chamber temperature was determined as 101 °C for ABS and 40–45 °C for PA. While ABS showed a stronger mechanical response to temperature variations, the semi-crystalline structure of PA resulted in more limited sensitivity. These findings highlight the critical role of chamber temperature in determining mechanical performance, ductility, and porosity structure, and provide valuable insights for industrial-scale additive manufacturing applications.</p>