Flame retardant polymers/Large scale AM?

Hello,

With regards to testing the print fidelity and initial printability assessments, you can trying printing 3D Benchy parts (https://www.3dbenchy.com/3d-print/) at the small scale. Using 5-axis robotic printer, you might want to print a part with sharp 90 or 180-degree turns to check if the accuracy of the print is maintained that those turns ( ). A simple zig-zag pattern might be sufficient to understand if the material is printable at BAAM scales. In order to proof functionality, a lot of researchers print molds for tooling applications.

Regarding the characterization, depends on what your end goal is for the reinforced polymers. Performing standard thermo-mechanical characterizations (TGA, DSC, DMA, TMA) on them is always a good idea. Differences in rheological behavior of the reinforced material vs. neat polymer should be studied. Morphological characterization of tensile failed samples are also recommended. Characterizations based on the flame retardancy behavior (heat release rates and char yields from calorimetric measurements) may be performed to address the specific end-applications.

Hope this is useful. Feel free to reach out if you have questions regarding this.

Thanks!

Arit

Hello Salah-Eddine Ouassil

Characterization methods and tests that will be relevant for FR polymers are as follows:

- LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index)

- Smoke density

- Burning rate

- UL 94

- Dripping test

- Hazardous gases generation testing

Thanks a lot Haresh Bhanushali for your answer. That was so useful.