Preparation of polypropylene/short glass fiber composite as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) filament

Mechanical, morphological, rheological, and crystallinity properties of pure polypropylene (PP)/glass fiber (GF) and PP/GF composites containing maleic anhydride polyolefin (POE-g-MA) at three different weight percentages (10, 20 and 30 wt%) were investigated. The test specimens were provided using 3D printing (FDM) and compression molding (CM) methods. Given brittleness and insufficient flexibility of the prepared filaments, POE-g-MA was used at different weight percentages, leading to enhanced filament flexibility. The test specimens were also provided using the CM method to compare the results with those of FDM method. Tensile tests were performed to evaluate mechanical properties of the specimens. Results showed that, addition of GF increased the modulus and strength of the composite while lowering its flexibility; on the other hand the composite exhibited decreased modulus and strength and increased flexibility upon adding the POE-g-MA. The specimens prepared via CM method exhibited higher values of strength and modulus, as compared to those prepared via 3D printing. Results of rheological studies further showed that the introduction of POE-g-MA tends to increase the storage modulus, loss modulus and viscosity, while lowering the value of tan δ. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results indicated higher crystallinity of the specimens prepared via the CM method rather than 3D printing. Keywords: 3D printing, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Polypropylene polymer composite, Glass fiber, Mechanical properties, Rheolog