Abstract

Conference Abstract: This work investigated the feasibility of the use of a novel infusible thermoplastic resin (Elium 150 from Arkema) for composite laminate manufacture by resin infusion methods and possible application in the shipbuilding sector. We compared the properties of Elium glass-fibre laminates with those of laminates infused with state-of-the-art thermosetting epoxy and urethane acrylate resins. The Elium laminates matched the mechanical performance (flexure and interlaminar shear strength) of the epoxy and surpassed that of the urethane acrylate counterpart. However, the mechanical performance of the Elium laminates after immersion in water at 35 ^oC for 28 days deteriorated compared to urethane acrylate, but was comparable in flexural properties to that of the epoxy. The combination of superior mechanical performance coupled with acceptable environmental resistance and comparable composite laminate manufacturing conditions makes the infusible thermoplastic a possible future candidate matrix over commercial thermosetting resin options.

Abstract

With the recent increase in the use of additive manufacturing (AM) in more and more challenging applications, the demands on the mechanical performance and sustainability of printed parts are increasing considerably. Among the different additive manufacturing technologies, fused filament fabrication (FFF) is the most widely used for thermoplastic materials. This work focuses on comparing the behaviour of parts obtained by FFF using a bio-based polyamide (BIOPA-11) reinforced with different types of fibres: short glass fibre (GF) and a fibrillar nanoclay (SEP, sepiolite). Different composites were prepared by melt process, converted into filaments used in FFF, and characterised the final parts. The thermal and mechanical properties obtained were systematically examined as a function of printing orientation, amount and type of fibre, accompanied by X-ray tomography image analysis of the internal parts of the pieces. As expected, anisotropic properties showed improvements in Young's Modulus and tensile strength in both composites with increasing amount of reinforcement, with respect to pure biopolyamide. However, the improvements in mechanical performance of the nanocomposites were very noticeable under many conditions (composition and direction of fabrication). The research shows that this is due to the stiffening mechanism, based on the polymorphism of BIOPA, which is induced by nanometric loadings. Additionally, the internal morphology of the nanocomposite parts showed small amounts of inter-filament cavitations, while the parts obtained from the GF composites showed irregular, intra-filament cavitations. Thus, the BIOPA11 nanomaterial parts are attractive in terms of properties, weight, cost reduction, and sustainability.