Effects of Gamma Radiation on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Thermoplastics
Abstract
While the radiation effects on conventionally manufactured polymers has been studied to a limited extent, the effects on additively manufactured components of the same polymers have not been thoroughly documented. The objective of this study is to understand the effect of radiation on the thermal and mechanical properties of additively manufactured polymers. This was accomplished by comparing the tensile strength and thermal stability of these materials under gamma irradiation up to 20 MRad. Two of the most common additive manufacturing techniques are fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS). Both techniques involve the fusing of successive layers until the desired shape is achieved. The following additively manufactured materials were tested: Nylon-12 (SLS), NylonG glass fiber filled nylon (FDM), and Nylforce CF carbon fiber filled nylon (FDM).Nylon-12 was the injection molded material tested. Thermal analysis included thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) to measure at what temperature polymer degradation occurred and enthalpy heat of fusion, respectively. Tensile testing determined that increased radiation resulted in a decrease in tensile strength. Fractography showed that there was an increase in brittle fracture as the radiation dose increased.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1171868
Entities
People
- Logan C. Schoffstall
Organizations
- United States Naval Academy