Original Article
  • Analysis of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of rCF/PETG Composites Fabricated by MEX Process as a Function of rCF Content
  • Minji Ko*, Youngshin Kim**,****, Euysik Jeon*,**,***†

  • * Department of Future Convergence Engineering, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea
    ** Industrial Technology Research Institute, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea
    *** Regional Innovation Center for Middle Market Enterprise in Chungnam, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea
    **** Graduate Program for Eco-Friendly Future Automotive Technology, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea

  • MEX 공정으로 제작된 rCF/PETG 복합재의 rCF 함량에 따른 미세구조 및 기계적 특성 분석
  • 고민지* · 김영신**,**** · 전의식*,**,***†

  • This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

The material extrusion (MEX) method is a prominent additive manufacturing (AM) technology employed across numerous industrial sectors. However, its applications have been limited by weak interlayer bonding and low strength of thermoplastics. This study investigates the potential of recycle Carbon Fiber(rCF) to enhance the mechanical properties of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)-based composites, with the aim of enhancing mechanical performance and reducing waste. PETG/rCF composite filaments were fabricated with different rCF contents (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 15 %), and 3D printed specimens were prepared. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed to characterize the PETG/rCF composites. The tensile test results showed that the addition of 5 wt% rCF increased the tensile strength by 70.21 %. Fracture surface analysis using SEM showed that the addition of rCF 5 wt% improved the mechanical properties through stronger bonding with the PETG matrix. However, the addition of rCF 15 wt% caused an increase in voids and brittle fracture, resulting in a decrease in mechanical strength.


Additive Manufacturing (AM) 기술 중 Material Extrusion (MEX) 방식은 다양한 산업 분야에서 널리 사용되고 있으나, 층간 결합력 약화와 열가소성 플라스틱의 낮은 강도로 인한 기계적 특성 저하가 주요 문제점으로 지적되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 낮은 기계적 특성 및 폐기물 문제 해결을 위하여 recycle Carbon Fiber(rCF)를 활용한 PETG(Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) 기반 복합재료의 특성에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. PETG/rCF 복합재 필라멘트를 rCF 함량별(0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %)로 제작하고, 3D 프린팅 시편을 제조하였다. PETG/rCF 복합재 특성 평가를 위해 열중량분석(TGA), 인장 시험, 주사전자현미경(SEM) 분석을 실시하였다. 인장 시험 결과, rCF 5 wt% 첨가 시 인장강도가 70.21 % 증가하였다. SEM을 이용한 파단면 분석 결과, rCF 5 wt% 첨가는 PETG matrix와의 강한 결합을 통해 기계적 특성을 향상시키는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 rCF 15 wt% 첨가는 공극 증가와 취성 파단을 유발하여 기계적 강도 저하의 원인이 됨을 확인하였다.


Keywords: 재료 압출(Material extrusion), 재활용 탄소 섬유(Recycle carbon fiber), 복합재(Composite), 기계적 (Mechanical properties), 형태학적 특성(Morphological characteristics)

This Article

Correspondence to

  • Euysik Jeon
  • * Department of Future Convergence Engineering, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea
    ** Industrial Technology Research Institute, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea
    *** Regional Innovation Center for Middle Market Enterprise in Chungnam, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Korea

  • E-mail: osjun@kongju.ac.kr