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The effect of high-intensity gamma radiation on PETG and ASA polymer-based fused deposition modelled 3D printed parts

SAM CRESSALL, Christopher Phillips Orcid Logo, Wafaa Al-Shatty Orcid Logo, Davide Deganello Orcid Logo

Journal of Materials Science, Volume: 59, Issue: 4, Pages: 1768 - 1782

Swansea University Authors: SAM CRESSALL, Christopher Phillips Orcid Logo, Wafaa Al-Shatty Orcid Logo, Davide Deganello Orcid Logo

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Abstract

There is growing interest in the application of 3D printing for demanding environments subject to gamma radiation in areas such as the nuclear industry and space exploration. In this work, the effect of gamma radiation on fused deposition modelled 3D printed parts composed of polyethylene terephthal...

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Published in: Journal of Materials Science
ISSN: 0022-2461 1573-4803
Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2024
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65500
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Abstract: There is growing interest in the application of 3D printing for demanding environments subject to gamma radiation in areas such as the nuclear industry and space exploration. In this work, the effect of gamma radiation on fused deposition modelled 3D printed parts composed of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and acrylic styrene acrylonitrile (ASA) polymers was studied. Dose levels of up to 2.25 MGy were applied to the printed components, doses equivalent to over 1 year operating near spent nuclear fuel cells. Infrared spectroscopy showed the evidence of cross-linking by the formation of peaks corresponding to –OH and C–H bonds. Tensile and hardness testing was used to assess changes in mechanical properties and showed a reduction in ultimate tensile stress and maximum strain in parts made from both polymers, but with PETG retaining greater strength and ductility than ASA, especially at intermediate gamma exposure. Young’s modulus and hardness showed either modest increases or a fairly flat response with exposure. Mechanical properties were heavily dependent on the build structure, with horizontal build samples pulled parallel to the filament direction being several times stronger than vertical build samples pulled normal to the layers. Non-irradiated samples pulled parallel to the filament direction were indicative of ductile failure, with rough surfaces, distinct infill and wall regions and evidence of thinning occurring after fracture, but irradiated fracture surfaces were flatter, smoother and without local thinning, suggesting gamma radiation-induced embrittlement in the material. For samples pulled perpendicular to the filament direction, all fractures occurred between layers, creating flat fracture surfaces with no evidence of necking and indicative of brittle failure regardless of whether the samples were irradiated.
Item Description: Data and code availability:Not applicable.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: This work was financially supported by Materials and Manufacturing Academy (M2A) through funding from the European Social Fund via the Welsh Government (c80816), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK) (Grant Ref: EP/L015099/1) and Lynkeos Technology Ltd.
Issue: 4
Start Page: 1768
End Page: 1782