Abstract
In this study, advanced low melting point alloys (LMPA)/polymer composited wires for fused deposition modelling (FDM) processes were developed. The Polylactic Acid (PLA) powder was mixed with LMPA powder and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS). The liquid state of LMPA will not hinder the processability of polymer composites when the composites were extruded out as wires. Thus, the composited wires can be optimally fabricated with high stabilities as well as large quantities. The prepared PLA/LMPA/MWCNTS wires could be further dedicated to print with 3-dimensional (3D) structures. Additionally, the tensile modulus of the printed composites was three times as higher as that of the pure PLA. The tensile modulus of composites is temperature-dependant, specially it would decrease more significantly at the melting point of LMPA. The study on the FDM of the advanced composited-wires would inspire a new branch in the additive manufacturing. The material could also be potentially applied in variable stiffness components, electromagnetic shielding and other applications.
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