Effect of various alumina nano-fillers on the thermal and mechanical behaviour of low-density polyethylene-Al2O3composites

Three-Dimensional Printed Polyamide 12 (PA12) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) Alumina (Al2O3) Nanocomposites with Significantly Enhanced Tensile, Flexural, and Impact Properties

The effect of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) as a reinforcing agent of Polyamide 12 (PA12) and Polylactic acid (PLA) in fused filament fabrication (FFF) three-dimensional printing (3DP) is reported herein for the first time. Alumina NPs are incorporated via a melt-mixing compounding process, at four different filler loadings. Neat as well as nanocomposite 3DP filaments are prepared as feedstock for the 3DP manufacturing of specimens which are thoroughly investigated for their mechanical properties. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy (RS) proved the nature of the materials. Their morphological characteristics were thoroughly investigated with scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. Al2O3 NPs exhibited a positive reinforcement mechanism at all filler loadings, while the mechanical percolation threshold with the maximum increase of performance was found between 1.0-2.0 wt.% filler loading (1.0 wt.% for PA12, 41.1%, and 56.4% increase in strength and modulus, respectively; 2.0 wt.% for PLA, 40.2%, and 27.1% increase in strength and modulus, respectively). The combination of 3DP and polymer engineering using nanocomposite PA12 and PLA filaments with low-cost filler additives, e.g., Al2O3 NPs, could open new avenues towards a series of potential applications using thermoplastic engineering polymers in FFF 3DP manufacturing.

Research Trends in Carbon Chain Polymers and Their Derivatives: Highlighting the Decade-Long Research

Polyolefins include low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polybutylene (PB). Polyolefins offer unique characteristics such as chemical resistance, smooth surface, re-shapability, and are lighter than glass and metal-based materials. The global plastics industry produces polyolefin as their major product and these polyolefins are mostly used as commercial commodity plastics. Moreover, the characteristics of polyolefin can be further improved by forming their blends and/or composites and incorporating fillers. This review highlights the role of various fillers such as titanium dioixde-based, nitride-based, and carbon-based nanomaterials, in influencing polyolefin composites. Moreover, the contribution of layered double hydroxide in olefin polymerization, and the impact of filler properties such as filler content, filler type, filler phase stability, and synergistic effect between the fillers and polymers on nanocomposites are discussed.