3D PRINTING AND FIRE RETARDANCY: CONVENTIONAL WAY OR NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Résumé
Additive manufacturing (AM) alias 3D printing translates computer-aided design (CAD) virtual 3D models into physical objects. By digital slicing of CAD, 3D scan, or tomography data, AM builds objects layer by layer without the need for molds or machining. The ongoing transition from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing prompts new challenges for materials scientists. Many AM techniques are now available and it includes vat photopolymerization (stereolithography), powder bed fusion (SLS), material and binder jetting (inkjet and aerosol 3D printing), sheet lamination (LOM), extrusion (FDM, 3D dispensing, 3D fiber deposition, and 3D plotting), and 3D bioprinting [1].
The range of polymers used in AM encompasses thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, hydrogels, functional polymers, polymer blends, composites, and biological systems. With this wide range of materials, new parts or repaired parts can be made rapidly with the appropriate design. It saves time and money. Some of the parts must be flame retarded (FR) polymers and the influence of the printing method and/or how the material is printed on the FR performance of the materials is a main concern. As an example, the printing orientation of a FR Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) modifies the UL-94 classification [2]. Comparaison between printed FR materials and injection molded FR materials is made in the talk based on published papers [3-5] and on our work [6].
3D printing gives the possibility to examine new design of polymeric materials easily (Figure 1). It is also the goal of this talk to investigate new design and new multi-materials to achieve the highest level of performance.