Investigation of physical and mechanical properties of 3D printed parts by using of ABS plastic filaments filled by alumina

In recent years, 3D printing methods (additive manufacturing) have been attracted in research centers and industry. Among several 3D printing processes, fused deposition modeling (FDM) was more popular. In this method, plastic filaments were used for rapid prototyping or manufacture of a structural part. In this research, composite filaments compounded by a polymeric matrix and different volume fraction of aluminum oxide (alumina), were produced. Mechanical and physical properties of printed parts by these filaments were evaluated. Tensile test results showed that with increase of the volume fraction of alumina, tensile strengths were decreased because of inter layer voids. For 20% volumetric of alumina, tensile strength was decreased up to 70%. But in compression test, compressive strength was decreased 74% with increase of alumina till 10% and then compressive strength increased. Also, heat deflection temperature test was conducted and 11% decrease in heat deflection temperature was obtained, because of lower strengths of composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that with increase of alumina, thermal stability of printed parts was increased. Linear shrinkage was measured for printed part in three directions and anisotropic shrinkage was explained. Also with increase of alumina till 15% volumetric, hardness was decreased to 27% and after that the hardness was increased a little. With increase of alumina till 20% volumetric, warpage of parts was decreased to 91%.