Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Blend Processed by Fused Deposition Modeling

The study investigated the effect of melt blending 0-50% UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) on the mechanical properties of PP (Polypropylene). The PP/UHMWPE blends were combined in an internal mixer and extruded into single filaments to produce tensile, flexural, and impact samples by means of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique. Subsequently, the mechanical behaviour of the PP/UHMWPE blends was characterized by tensile, flexural and impact tests along with Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). The results revealed 10% UHMWPE improved the impact strength of PP by 57%. However, other blends resulted in significant decline in blend properties. The SEM micrographs revealed that UHMWPE content affected raster overlapping and then blend strength which is consistent with the mechanical test results.