Home A comparative analysis of the effect of post production treatments and layer thickness on tensile and impact properties of additively manufactured polymers
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

A comparative analysis of the effect of post production treatments and layer thickness on tensile and impact properties of additively manufactured polymers

  • Çağın Bolat ORCID logo , Berkay Ergene ORCID logo EMAIL logo and Hasan Ispartalı ORCID logo
Published/Copyright: February 20, 2023
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Submit Manuscript Author Information
International Polymer Processing
From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 38 Issue 2

Abstract

In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have become greatly popular in the polymer, metal, and composite industries because of the capability for rapid prototyping, and appropriateness for the production of complex shapes. In this study, a comprehensive comparative analysis focusing on the influence of post-processing types (heat treatment and water absorption) on tensile and impact responses was carried out on 3D printed PETG, PLA, and ABS. In addition, layer thickness levels (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mm) were selected as a major production parameter and their effect on mechanical properties was combined with post-processing type for the first time. The results showed that both tensile and impact resistance of the printed polymers increased thanks to the heat treatment. The highest tensile strength was measured for heat-treated PLA, while the peak impact endurance level was reached for heat-treated PETG. Also, water absorption caused a mass increment in all samples and induced higher tensile elongation values. Decreasing layer thickness had a positive effect on tensile features, but impact strength values dropped. On the other hand, all samples were subjected to macro and micro failure analyses to understand the deformation mechanism. These inspections indicated that for impact samples straight crack lines converted to zigzag style separation lines after the heat treatment. As for the tensile samples, the exact location of the main damage zone altered with the production stability, the water absorption capacity of the polymer, and the thermal diffusion ability of the filament.

Keywords: fused filament fabrication; heat treatment; impact strength; layer thickness; water absorption
Corresponding author: Berkay Ergene, Faculty of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Department, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye, E-mail:

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: None declared.

  3. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

References

Akhoundi, B., Behravesh, A.H., and Bagheri, S.A. (2019). Improving mechanical properties of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites produced by FDM 3D printer. J. Reinf. Plast. Compos. 38: 99–116, https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684418807300.Search in Google Scholar

Akhoundi, B., Nabipour, M., Hajami, F., and Shakoori, D. (2020). An experimental study of nozzle temperature and heat treatment (annealing) effects on mechanical properties of high-temperature polylactic acid in fused deposition modeling. Polym. Eng. Sci. 60: 979–987, https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.25353.Search in Google Scholar

Ameri, B., Taheri-Behrooz, F., and Aliha, M.R.M. (2021). Evaluation of the geometrical discontinuity effect on mixed-mode I/II fracture load of FDM 3D-printed parts. Theor. Appl. Fract. Mech. 113: 102953, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2021.102953.Search in Google Scholar

Amza, C.G., Zapciu, A., Constantin, G., Baciu, F., and Vasile, M.I. (2021). Enhancing mechanical properties of polymer 3D printed parts. Polymers 13: 562, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13040562.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Athukorala, S.S., Tran, T.S., Balu, R., Truong, V.K., Chapman, J., Dutta, N.K., and Roy Choudhury, N. (2021). 3D printable electrically conductive hydrogel scaffolds for biomedical applications: a review. Polymers 13: 474, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13030474.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Avila, E.D., Eo, J., Kim, J., and Kim, N.P. (2019). Heat treatment effect on mechanical properties of 3D printed polymers. MATEC Web Conf. 264: 02001, https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201926402001.Search in Google Scholar

Ayrilmis, N., Kariz, M., Kwon, J.H., and Kitek Kuzman, M. (2019). Effect of printing layer thickness on water absorption and mechanical properties of 3D-printed wood/PLA composite materials. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 102: 2195–2200, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-03299-9.Search in Google Scholar

Azdast, T. and Hasanzadeh, R. (2021). Polylactide scaffold fabrication using a novel combination technique of fused deposition modeling and batch foaming: dimensional accuracy and structural properties. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 114: 1309–1321, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-06915-9.Search in Google Scholar

Basgul, C., Yu, T., MacDonald, D.W., Siskey, R., Marcolongo, M., and Kurtz, S.M. (2020). Does annealing improve the interlayer adhesion and structural integrity of FFF 3D printed PEEK lumbar spinal cages? J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 102: 103455, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.103455.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Basurto, V.O., Sánchez-Rodríguez, E.P., McShane, G.J., and Medina, D.I. (2021). Load distribution on PET-G 3D prints of honeycomb cellular structures under compression load. Polymers 13: 1983, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13121983.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Bhandari, S., Lopez-Anido, R.A., and Gardner, D.J. (2019). Enhancing the interlayer tensile strength of 3D printed short carbon fiber reinforced PETG and PLA composites via annealing. Addit. Manuf 30: 100922, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2019.100922.Search in Google Scholar

Bhosale, V., Gaikwad, P., Dhere, S., Sutar, C., and Raykar, S.J. (2022). Analysis of process parameters of 3D printing for surface finish, printing time and tensile strength. Mater. Today 59: 841–846, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.01.210.Search in Google Scholar

Dezaki, M.L., Ariffin, M.K.A.M., Serjouei, A., Zolfagharian, A., Hatami, S., and Bodaghi, M. (2021). Influence of infill patterns generated by CAD and FDM 3D printer on surface roughness and tensile strength properties. Appl. Sci. 11: 7272, https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167272.Search in Google Scholar

Dizon, J.R.C., Gache, C.C.L., Cascolan, H.M.S., Cancino, L.T., and Advincula, R.C. (2021). Post-processing of 3D-printed polymers. Technologies 9: 61, https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies9030061.Search in Google Scholar

Ergene, B. (2021). Simulation of the production of Inconel 718 and Ti6Al4V biomedical parts with different relative densities by selective laser melting (SLM) method. J. Fac. Eng. Archit. Gazi Univ. 37: 469–484, https://doi.org/10.17341/gazimmfd.934143.Search in Google Scholar

Ergene, B. and Bolat, Ç. (2022). An experimental study on the role of manufacturing parameters on the dry sliding wear performance of additively manufactured PETG. Int. Polym. Process. 37: 255–270, https://doi.org/10.1515/ipp-2022-0015.Search in Google Scholar

Ergene, B., Şekeroğlu, İ., Bolat, Ç., and Yalçın, B. (2021). An experimental investigation on mechanical performances of 3D printed lightweight ABS pipes with different cellular wall thickness. JMES 15: 8169–8177, https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.15.2.2021.16.0641.Search in Google Scholar

Fontana, L., Minetola, P., Iuliano, L., Rifuggiato, S., Khandpur, M.S., and Stiuso, V. (2022). An investigation of the influence of 3d printing parameters on the tensile strength of PLA material. Mater Today 57: 657–663, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.02.078.Search in Google Scholar

Gaweł, A. and Kuciel, S. (2020). The study of physico-mechanical properties of polylactide composites with different level of infill produced by the FDM method. Polymers 12: 3056, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12123056.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

He, F. and Khan, M. (2021). Effects of printing parameters on the fatigue behaviour of 3D-printed ABS under dynamic thermo-mechanical loads. Polymers 13: 2362, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13142362.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Hikmat, M., Rostam, S., and Ahmed, Y.M. (2021). Investigation of tensile property-based taguchi method of PLA parts fabricated by FDM 3D printing technology. Results Eng 11: 100264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2021.100264.Search in Google Scholar

Jayanth, N., Jaswanthraj, K., Sandeep, S., Mallaya, N.H., and Siddharth, S.R. (2021). Effect of heat treatment on mechanical properties of 3D printed PLA. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 123: 104764, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104764.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Jiang, C.P., Cheng, Y.C., Lin, H.W., Chang, Y.L., Pasang, T., and Lee, S.Y. (2022). Optimization of FDM 3D printing parameters for high strength PEEK using the taguchi method and experimental validation. Rapid Prototyp. J. 28: 1260–1271, https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-07-2021-0166.Search in Google Scholar

Jo, W., Kwon, O.C., and Moon, M.W. (2018). Investigation of influence of heat treatment on mechanical strength of FDM printed 3D objects. Rapid Prototyp. J. 24: 637–644, https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-06-2017-0131.Search in Google Scholar

Kallel, A., Koutiri, I., Babaeitorkamani, E., Khavandi, A., Tamizifar, M., Shirinbayan, M., and Tcharkhtchi, A. (2019). Study of bonding formation between the filaments of PLA in FFF process. Int. Polym. Process. 34: 434–444, https://doi.org/10.3139/217.3718.Search in Google Scholar

Kamaal, M., Anas, M., Rastogi, H., Bhardwaj, N., and Rahaman, A. (2021). Effect of FDM process parameters on mechanical properties of 3D-printed carbon fibre–PLA composite. Prog Addit Manuf 6: 63–69, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40964-020-00145-3.Search in Google Scholar

Karkun, M. and Dharmalingam, S. (2022). 3D printing technology in aerospace industry – a review. Int. J. Aviat. Aeronaut. Aerosp. 9: 1–15, https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2022.1708.Search in Google Scholar

Khosravani, M.R. and Reinicke, T. (2020). On the environmental impacts of 3D printing technology. Appl. Mater. Today 20: 100689, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmt.2020.100689.Search in Google Scholar

Kristiawan, R.B., Imaduddin, F., Ariawan, D., Ubaidillah, and Zainal, A. (2021). A review on the fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing: filament processing, materials, and printing parameters. Open Eng 11: 639–649, https://doi.org/10.1515/eng-2021-0063.Search in Google Scholar

Liao, Y., Liu, C., Coppola, B., Barra, G., Di Maio, L., Incarnato, L., and Lafdi, K. (2019). Effect of porosity and crystallinity on 3D printed PLA properties. Polymers 11: 1487, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym11091487.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Longo, A., Giannetti, D., Tammaro, D., Costanzo, S., and Di Maio, E. (2022). TPU-based porous heterostructures by combined techniques. Int. Polym. Process. 37: 415–426, https://doi.org/10.1515/ipp-2022-0026.Search in Google Scholar

Lopez, D.M.B. and Ahmad, R. (2020). Tensile mechanical behaviour of multi-polymer sandwich structures via fused deposition modelling. Polymers 12: 651, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12030651.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Mathew, E., Pitzanti, G., Larrañeta, E., and Lamprou, D.A. (2020). 3D printing of pharmaceuticals and drug delivery devices. Pharmaceutics 12: 266, https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12030266.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Minetola, P. and Galati, M. (2018). A challenge for enhancing the dimensional accuracy of a low-cost 3D printer by means of self-replicated parts. Addit. Manuf. 22: 256–264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2018.05.028.Search in Google Scholar

Mishra, K.P., Ponnusamy, S., and Nallamilli, M.S.R. (2021). The influence of process parameters on the impact resistance of 3D printed PLA specimens under water-absorption and heat-treated conditions. Rapid Prototyp. J. 27: 1108–1123, https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-02-2020-0037.Search in Google Scholar

Mostafaei, A., Elliott, A.M., Barnes, J.E., Li, F., Tan, W., Cramer, C.L., Nandwana, P., and Chmielus, M. (2021). Binder jet 3D printing—process parameters, materials, properties, modeling, and challenges. Prog. Mater. Sci. 119: 100707, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2020.100707.Search in Google Scholar

Müller, M., Šleger, V., Kolář, V., Hromasová, M., Piš, D., and Mishra, R.K. (2022). Low-cycle fatigue behavior of 3D-printed PLA reinforced with natural filler. Polymers 14: 1301, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14071301.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Mustafa, M., Muneer, M., Zafar, M., Arif, M., Hussain, G., and Siddiqui, F. (2022). Process parameter optimization for fused filament fabrication additive manufacturing of PLA/PHA biodegradable polymer blend. Int. Polym. Process. 37: 1–14, https://doi.org/10.1515/ipp-2021-4115.Search in Google Scholar

Nassar, A., Younis, M., Elzareef, M., and Nassar, E. (2021). Effects of heat-treatment on tensile behavior and dimension stability of 3D printed carbon fiber reinforced composites. Polymers 13: 4305, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244305.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Pant, M., Singari, R.M., Arora, P.K., Moona, G., and Kumar, H. (2020). Wear assessment of 3–D printed parts of PLA (polylactic acid) using Taguchi design and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique. Mater. Res. Express 7: 115307, https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/abc8bd.Search in Google Scholar

Pszczółkowski, B., Nowak, K.W., Rejmer, W., Bramowicz, M., Dzadz, Ł., and Gałęcki, R.A. (2022). Comparative analysis of selected methods for determining young’s modulus in polylactic acid samples manufactured with the FDM method. Materials 15: 149, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15010149.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Ravikumar, P., Desai, C., Kushwah, S., and Mangrola, M.H. (2022). A review article on FDM process parameters in 3D printing for composite materials. Mater. Today. Proc. 60: 2162–2166, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.02.385.Search in Google Scholar

Roman, N., Cojocaru, D., Coman, C., Repanovici, A., Bou, S.F., and Miclaus, R.S. (2020). Materials for Respiratory masks in the context of COVID 19 pandemic. Mater. Plast. 57: 236–247, https://doi.org/10.37358/Mat.Plast.1964.Search in Google Scholar

Schmitt, M., Mehta, R.M., and Kim, I.Y. (2020). Additive manufacturing infill optimization for automotive 3D-printed ABS components. Rapid Prototyp. J. 26: 89–99, https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-01-2019-0007.Search in Google Scholar

Shakeri, Z., Benfriha, K., Shirinbayan, M., Ahmadifar, M., and Tcharkhtchi, A. (2021). Mathematical modeling and optimization of fused filament fabrication (FFF) process parameters for shape deviation control of polyamide 6 using taguchi method. Polymers 13: 3697, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213697.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Subramaniyan, M., Karuppan, S., Radhakrishnan, K., Kumar, R.R., and Kumar, K.S. (2022). Investigation of wear properties of 3D-printed PLA components using sandwich structure – a review. Mater. Today 66: 1112–1119, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.04.913.Search in Google Scholar

Valvez, S., Silva, A.P., Reis, P.N.B., and Berto, F. (2022). Annealing effect on mechanical properties of 3D printed composites. Procedia Structural Integrity 37: 738–745, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2022.02.004.Search in Google Scholar

Wang, P. and Zou, B. (2022). Improvement of heat treatment process on mechanical properties of FDM 3D-printed short-and continuous-fiber-reinforced PEEK composites. Coatings 12: 827, https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12060827.Search in Google Scholar

Wickramasinghe, S., Do, T., and Tran, P. (2020). FDM-based 3D printing of polymer and associated composite: a review on mechanical properties, defects and treatments. Polymers 12: 1529, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12071529.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

Zisopol, D.G., Nae, I., Portoaca, A.I., and Ramadan, I. (2021). A theoretical and experimental research on the influence of FDM parameters on tensile strength and hardness of parts made of polylactic acid. Eng. Technol. Appl. Sci. Res. 11: 7458–7463, https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.4311.Search in Google Scholar
Received: 2022-08-16
Accepted: 2023-01-20
Published Online: 2023-02-20
Published in Print: 2023-05-25

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Research Articles
  3. Influence of process parameters of a continuous final mixer on the properties of carbon black/rubber composites
  4. Time series data for process monitoring in injection molding: a quantitative study of the benefits of a high sampling rate
  5. Vibration damping properties of graphene nanoplatelets filled glass/carbon fiber hybrid composites
  6. Optical and temperature dependent electrical properties of poly (vinyl chloride)/copper alumina nanocomposites for optoelectronic devices
  7. Numerical visualization of extensional flows in injection molding of polymer melts
  8. Thermal, mechanical and dielectric properties of glass fiber reinforced epoxy-lanthanum manganite nanocomposites
  9. Statistical research on the mixing properties of wave based screws by numerical simulations
  10. Influence of mold cavity thickness on electrical, morphological and thermal properties of polypropylene/carbon micromoldings
  11. Development of a prototype for the rubber latex industry to detect dry rubber content of fresh natural rubber latex using a novel measurement system with proton-electron transfer
  12. Effect of molding history on molecular orientation relaxation during physical aging of polystyrene injection moldings
  13. A comparative analysis of the effect of post production treatments and layer thickness on tensile and impact properties of additively manufactured polymers
  14. Fabrication of flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant rigid polyurethane foam modified by hydrolyzed keratin
  15. Study on flame retardancy and thermal stability of rigid polyurethane foams modified by amino trimethylphosphonate cobalt and expandable graphite
  16. Three-dimensional simulation of capillary rheometry for an estimation of extensional viscosity
https://doi.org/10.1515/ipp-2022-4267
Keywords for this article
fused filament fabrication; heat treatment; impact strength; layer thickness; water absorption

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Research Articles
  3. Influence of process parameters of a continuous final mixer on the properties of carbon black/rubber composites
  4. Time series data for process monitoring in injection molding: a quantitative study of the benefits of a high sampling rate
  5. Vibration damping properties of graphene nanoplatelets filled glass/carbon fiber hybrid composites
  6. Optical and temperature dependent electrical properties of poly (vinyl chloride)/copper alumina nanocomposites for optoelectronic devices
  7. Numerical visualization of extensional flows in injection molding of polymer melts
  8. Thermal, mechanical and dielectric properties of glass fiber reinforced epoxy-lanthanum manganite nanocomposites
  9. Statistical research on the mixing properties of wave based screws by numerical simulations
  10. Influence of mold cavity thickness on electrical, morphological and thermal properties of polypropylene/carbon micromoldings
  11. Development of a prototype for the rubber latex industry to detect dry rubber content of fresh natural rubber latex using a novel measurement system with proton-electron transfer
  12. Effect of molding history on molecular orientation relaxation during physical aging of polystyrene injection moldings
  13. A comparative analysis of the effect of post production treatments and layer thickness on tensile and impact properties of additively manufactured polymers
  14. Fabrication of flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant rigid polyurethane foam modified by hydrolyzed keratin
  15. Study on flame retardancy and thermal stability of rigid polyurethane foams modified by amino trimethylphosphonate cobalt and expandable graphite
  16. Three-dimensional simulation of capillary rheometry for an estimation of extensional viscosity
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 13.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/ipp-2022-4267/html
Scroll to top button