Faculty Publications

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Recycling potential of MWCNTs/HDPE nanocomposite filament: 3D printing and mechanical characterization
(Springer, 2023) Kumar, S.; Ramesh, M.R.; Doddamani, M.
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) based additive manufacturing (AM) process is a widely used and emerging manufacturing process for polymer-based products. The recycled filaments are realized through wastage generated while extruding the constant diameter feedstock filament, which is otherwise dumped in landfills or incinerated, releasing hazardous and toxic gases that influence the ecological environment. The wastage of these filaments can be eliminated by recycling and reusing them, addressing materials circular economy effectively, presented in this paper. The functionalized MWCNT reinforced HDPE (high-density polyethylene) nanocomposite (NC) is realized through a brabender, which is further used for filament extrusion. The waste/unrecycled (W/UR) and the recycled filaments are checked for quality. The density of the recycled filaments increases compared to the W/UR filament in each extrusion pass. The crystallinity and tensile properties of the recycled filaments increase compared to the W/UR filament with each additional extrusion cycle. Further, these filaments are used for 3D printing, and investigated for density, XRD and tensile tests. It is observed that the density, crystallinity and tensile properties of the recycled prints increase compared to the W/UR print. The tensile strength and modulus of 1 × , 2 × and 3 × prints are 63.82, 67.11 and 67.76%, and 45.63, 55.34 and 97.81% respectively, higher than those of the W/UR print. The highest tensile strength and modulus are observed for 3 × print which is 67.76 and 97.81% respectively, higher than those of the W/UR print. 3D prints exhibited enhanced performance as compared to their respective filaments. Finally, the present tensile results are mapped on a property chart, and compared with the available HDPE composites. © 2023, Springer Nature Japan KK, part of Springer Nature.
Buckling behavior of non-uniformly heated 3D printed plain and functionally graded nanocomposites
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2023) Kumar, S.; Ramesh, M.R.; Jeyaraj, J.; Powar, S.; Doddamani, M.
The functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (0.5–5 wt.%) are compounded with high density polyethylene (HDPE), and, subsequently, used for extruding nanocomposite filaments to fabricate nanocomposites (NCs) and functionally graded nanocomposites (FGNCs) through 3D printing. The 3D printed NCs are investigated for coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and buckling under different non-uniform temperature distributions (case-1: left edge heating, case-2: centre heating, and case-3: left and right edge heating). A significant reduction in CTE is observed with MWCNT addition and gradation. The highest reduction in CTE is observed for H5 (5 wt.% of MWCNT in HDPE) NC and H1 ⟶ H3 ⟶ H5 (FGNC-2) among the NCs and the FGNCs. It is noted that Tcr (critical buckling temperature) is highest for case-3 and lowest for case-2. The highest deflection is noticed in case-2, while no significant difference is observed in case-1 and case-3 heating conditions. It is also observed that Tcr increases with gradation and MWCNTs addition. The H5 NC and FGNC-2 exhibited the highest Tcr among the NCs and FGNCs, respectively. The maximum deflection is noticed for HDPE, whereas the minimum deflection is noticed for FGNC-2 and H-5 NC among the tested samples. The results also revealed that Tcr is very sensitive to type of heating. © 2023 Society of Plastics Engineers.
3D printing of functionally graded nanocomposites: An investigation of microstructural, rheological, and mechanical behavior
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2024) Kumar, S.; Rajath, S.; Shivakumar, N.D.; Ramesh, M.R.; Doddamani, M.
Manufacturing functionally graded material through 3D printing is challenging owing to the deposition of different materials with different thermal properties in each layer, leading to a higher thermal gradient between deposited and depositing layers, resulting in improper bonding between them and, hence, reduced mechanical properties. This study focuses on 3D printing of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based lightweight functionally graded nanocomposites (FGNCs) and their investigation for microstructural, rheological, physical, and mechanical properties. Functionalized MWCNTs (0.5% → 5%) are initially compounded with widely utilized HDPE to develop nanocomposites (H0.5→H5 pellets) for extruding filaments for 3D printing. 3D-printed FGNC samples are investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheology, density, tensile, and flexural tests. SEM and rheology confirm the homogeneous dispersion of the filler in HDPE and the processing parameters suitability in blending, extrusion, and 3D printing. Complex viscosity (η*), loss modulus (E″), and storage modulus (E′) of FGNCs increase, while the damping decreases with the MWCNTs rise in the graded layers. Density results revealed the highest weight saving potential (~12%) of FGNC-2 (H1–H3–H5), showing great weight saving potential. Tensile and flexural properties rise when the MWCNTs content rises in the graded layer. The FGNC-2 showed the highest tensile strength and moduli, 37.12% and 90.41% higher than HDPE. Flexural strength and moduli are also found to be the highest for FGNC-2, 28.57%, and 26.83% higher than HDPE. The highest specific moduli and strength are found for FGNC-2, 46.16% and 44.14% higher than HDPE, respectively. Experimental findings are found to be strongly in agreement with numerical findings. 3D-printed FGNC-2 demonstrated the best flexural and tensile characteristics with the lowest weight and hence can be used to make practical parts and structures that need variable stiffness. Highlights: FGNCs functionally graded n anocomposites are concurrently 3D printed. FGNC-2 exhibited the highest weight saving potential of 12%. FGNC-2 showed 90.41% and 37.12% enhanced tensile modulus and strength. FGNC-2 displayed 28.57% and 26.83% improved flexural strength and modulus. FGNCs exhibited better mechanical performance than the homogeneous NCs. © 2024 Society of Plastics Engineers.

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