About this Abstract |
Meeting |
MS&T22: Materials Science & Technology
|
Symposium
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Additive Manufacturing of Metals: Microstructure, Properties and Alloy Development
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Presentation Title |
Tortuosity and Flow Characterization towards 3D Binder-Jet Printed N95 Mask Filter |
Author(s) |
Aaron Acierno, Teddi Sedlar, Erica Erickson, Markus Chmielus |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Aaron Acierno |
Abstract Scope |
Motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we seek to investigate the potential for reusable metal N95 mask filter production by leveraging the valuable properties of antimicrobial and sterilizable metal alloys and the unique structures possible via binder-jet 3D printing (BJ-3DP). BJ-3DP is an additive manufacturing technology that produces parts with an intrinsic and tailorable micro-porous morphology. Mask filters require interconnected porosity within which airborne particles must navigate twists and turns, typically reported as the characteristic tortuosity. Here, we investigate the bulk porosity-tortuosity relationship of an existing historical model and compare predictions to experimental data from BJ-3DP structures. A derived idealized 2D model predicts tortuosity well in the high-porosity regime but underestimates the tortuosity below a critical value. Therefore an empirical model should be employed at low porosities. The micro-porous morphology in BJ-3DP materials depend on a variety of factors, all of which influence the final tortuosity, and thus the filtration characteristics. |