About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2025)
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| Symposium
|
2025 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2025)
|
| Presentation Title |
In-situ Annealing and Thermal-Morphological Insights for Improving Mechanical Properties of FFF-Printed ABS |
| Author(s) |
Tanvir Ahmed Shanto, Robert M Taylor, Ankur Jain, Rakin Ahmed, Parimal Patel |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Rakin Ahmed |
| Abstract Scope |
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) offers unmatched versatility in additive manufacturing but remains limited by poor z-direction strength due to insufficient interlayer bonding and void formation. This study evaluates a patent-pending printhead capable of in-situ thermal annealing during printing of amorphous thermoplastic Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and its effect on mechanical performance under batch-printing conditions. A full-factorial design of experiments investigates the effects of printhead type, print speed, and inter-sample spacing on tensile toughness, with infrared thermography capturing real-time thermal histories and X-ray microcomputed tomography (µ-CT) quantifying internal voids. The modified printhead, when operated at 1200 mm min⁻¹ and 7.5 mm spacing, achieved up to 48% higher toughness and a 9% reduction in void volume compared to a conventional printhead. Statistical analysis revealed significant printhead–speed interactions, where prolonged welding times above the glass transition temperature (Tg) enhanced polymer chain diffusion, reduced void fraction, and shifted fracture behavior from brittle to elastic–brittle failure. These findings establish controlled in-situ annealing as an effective thermal management strategy to mitigate property variability in batch-printed parts and extend the structural capabilities of FFF-fabricated ABS components. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Post-meeting proceedings |