Graphene-polyamide-6 composite for additive manufacture of multifunctional electromagnetic interference shielding components

Graphene-polyamide-6 composite (GC) filament with 9%center dot v/v graphene concentration was applied as feedstock in filament-based material extrusion (ME) additive manufacturing. The materials are characterized by melt flow index (MFI), mechanical properties, dielectric properties, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) in the X-band frequency range. Despite high graphene concentration, MFI is unaffected. In ME test specimens; GC has both superior elastic modulus and tensile strength at yield when compared with the neat polymer. Enhanced mechanical properties at high graphene concentration without diminished processability highlight the suitability of polyamide-6 (PA6) as matrix material for graphene composite filaments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging indicates graphene alignment in GC after printing. In both compression molded (CM) and ME test specimens, dielectric properties and EMI SE of PA6 are enhanced by graphene inclusion. Further analysis reveals that ME has a negative influence on absorption of electromagnetic waves, while reflection is virtually unaffected.

Automated summary

The addition of graphene enhances the properties of polyamide-6 composite materials, while maintaining processability even at high graphene concentrations. SEM imaging shows the alignment of graphene in printed materials, and the inclusion of graphene improves the dielectric properties and EMI SE of the materials in compression molded and ME test specimens.