Fine particle emission during fused deposition modelling and thermogravimetric analysis for various filaments

This paper discusses an experimental evaluation of fine particle emissions (16.5-583 nm) released by a three-dimensional printer from various printing materials. Fine particle emissions were identified for a three-dimensional printer that uses fused deposition modelling technology. A method for evaluation of fine particle emissions from printing materials was developed. This method allowed us to test twelve commonly available printing materials. Size distributions of the produced fine particles and their concentrations were observed for each printing material during the printing periods. The count median diameter of emitted particles ranged from 26 to 56 nm. Particle number concentrations in a closed cover of a three-dimensional printer ranged from 10(3)-10(6) particles/cm(3), depending on the particular printing material. Tested printing materials were then subjected to thermogravimetric analysis. This analysis provides detailed information about the emission of fine particles and mass loss of a sample of the material depending on the current temperature of the printing material. The study presents information about differences between particular printing materials in terms of the amount of emitted fine particles as well as the particle size distribution of the amount over time. The study also suggests that thermogravimetric analysis of materials can be used for estimation of particle emission that will occur during the printing process that is based on fused deposition modelling. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.