Evaluation of the Effect of Mineral Oil Exposure on Changes in the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Parts Produced by Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Marcin Głowacki; Katarzyna Skórczewska; Krzysztof Lewandowski; Adam Mazurkiewicz; Piotr Szewczykowski

doi:10.3390/ma17153680

Evaluation of the Effect of Mineral Oil Exposure on Changes in the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Parts Produced by Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Materials (Basel). 2024 Jul 25;17(15):3680. doi: 10.3390/ma17153680.

Authors

Marcin Głowacki¹, Katarzyna Skórczewska², Krzysztof Lewandowski², Adam Mazurkiewicz¹, Piotr Szewczykowski¹

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Kaliskiego 7 Street, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
² Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Seminaryjna 3 Street, 85-326 Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Abstract

The paper describes the type of changes in the structure and mechanical properties of 3D printed shapes under the influence of mineral oil. The effects of a room (23 °C) and elevated temperature (70 °C) on 3D prints manufactured by the FDM method and stored in oil for 15, 30, and 60 days on the change of properties and structure were investigated. The samples were produced from ABS (poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene)), ASA (poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene-co-acrylate), PLA (poly(lactic acid)), and HIPS (high-impact polystyrene). Tests related to the strength of the materials, such as the static tensile test and Charpy impact test, were carried out. The structure was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope, and changes in chemical structure were determined by conducting FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) tests. The analysis of the results provided important information about the impact of mineral oil on specific materials. This is critical for designing and manufacturing components that can withstand mineral oil exposure in real-world environments. The materials underwent varying changes. Strength increased for PLA by about 28%, remained unchanged for ABS and HIPS during exposure for 30 days, and decreased for ASA with extended exposure up to 14%.

Keywords: 3D printing; ABS; ASA; FDM method; HIPS; PLA; environmental resistance; high temperature; mineral oil.

Grants and funding

The study was financially supported by the Scientific Activities of the Young competition, conducted by the University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz. This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Education and Science in Poland.