On the Post-Processing of 3D-Printed ABS Parts

Abstract

Application of Additive Manufacturing (AM) has significantly increased in the past few years. AM also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing has been currently used in fabrication of prototypes and end-use products. Considering the new applications of additively manufactured components, it is necessary to study structural details of these parts. In the current study, influence of a post-processing on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts has been investigated. To this aim, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material was used to produce test coupons based on the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process. More in deep, a device was designed and fabricated to fix imperfection and provide smooth surfaces on the 3D-printed ABS specimens. Later, original and treated specimens were subjected to a series of tensile loads, three-point bending tests, and water absorption tests. The experimental tests indicated fracture load in untreated dog-bone shaped specimen was 2026.1 N which was decreased to 1951.7 N after surface treatment. Moreover, the performed surface treatment was lead and decrease in tensile strength from 29.37 MPa to 26.25 MPa. Comparison of the results confirmed effects of the surface modification on the fracture toughness of the examined semi-circular bending components. Moreover, a 3D laser microscope was used for visual investigation of the specimens. The documented results are beneficial for next designs and optimization of finishing processes.

Keywords: additive manufacturing; mechanical properties; roughness; surface modification.

Figure 1

A schematic of the FDM printing process.

Figure 2

A schematic and dimensions of the dog-bone shaped specimen (dimensions in mm).

Figure 3

Fabricated equipment for surface treatment of 3D-printed parts.

Figure 4

Dog-bone shaped specimens before and after tensile test.

Figure 5

Force-displacement (left), and stress-strain curves of untreated and treated specimens (right).

Figure 6

The SCB specimen under three-point bending test conditions; before loading (left), and after loading (right).

Figure 7

The SCB specimen geometry and size (left), and force-displacement curve of untreated and treated specimens (right).

Figure 8

Surface of untreated (left), and treated (right) specimens.