Thermal and tensile properties of 3D printed ABS-glass fibre, ABS-glass fibre-carbon fibre hybrid composites made by novel hybrid manufacturing technique

This study was an attempt to combine fused deposition modelling and hot press moulding technique to fabricate hybrid polymer composites using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer, woven glass fibre (GF) and woven carbon fibre (CF). The composite specimens were subjected towere subjected to mechanical and thermal characterization.Tensile strength of GF/ABS and GF/CF/ABS composite were far higher than the virgin ABS. GF/ABS composites displayedimproved thermal resistance by giving a final residue of 42.36%, followed by GF/CF/ABS hybrid composites as per the thermogravimetric analysis. Thermomechanical analysis revealed the coefficient of thermal expansion in the order: ABS > GF/ABS > GF/CF/ABS. The entropy obtained from the DSC curve was of higher value for composites than the ABS. The ABS based composites fabricated from this technique can be applicable to structural parts in the automobiles, aircrafts, shipping vessels, etc.

Automated summary

This study aimed to fabricate hybrid polymer composites using ABS polymer, GF and CF by combining fused deposition modelling and hot press moulding technique. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composite specimens were characterized. The tensile strength of GF/ABS and GF/CF/ABS composites was significantly higher than that of virgin ABS. GF/ABS composites showed improved thermal resistance with a final residue of 42.36%, followed by GF/CF/ABS hybrid composites. Thermomechanical analysis revealed the thermal expansion coefficient in the order: ABS > GF/ABS > GF/CF/ABS. The entropy obtained from the DSC curve was higher for the composites compared to ABS. These ABS-based composites can be widely used in structural parts of automobiles, aircrafts, and shipping vessels.