Processing and characterization of 3D-printed nanoclay/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs) nanocomposite gear

In this study, the possibility of producing layered silicate-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) using additive manufacturing procedures was investigated. In particular, this investigation presents novel methods for making nanoclay-infused acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composite spur gear. The gear was developed by introducing different weight percentages of nanoclay (0–5 wt%), on each acrylonitrile butadiene styrene layer. A square panel of 6 layers with varying proportions of nanoclay was fabricated using a 3D printer. The effect of nanoclay loading on the mechanical properties such as impact, tensile, flexural, and DMA of spur gears created using pure acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and nanoclay-infused nanocomposite was investigated and compared. The strength of the developed spur gear varies with different loading of nanoclay. The results that the spur gear, with 2 wt% nanoclay, offered superior properties. The micrographs showed the dispersion of nanoclay strongly bonded with the matrix, resulting in improved strength and stiffness. The improvement in mechanical properties depicts the effectiveness of additive manufacturing procedure with an enormous benefit for the mass production of gears of different types.