Composite materials with graphenic materials by extrusion for 3D printing

The work shows the preparation and characterization of composite materials using a polymer as a matrix (ABS) and carbon black or a graphenic material (graphene or graphene foam). The materials were individually mixed with the polymer and the process parameters were established in an extruder with capacity for temperature control starting at laboratory conditions and up to 600 degrees C. The process parameters were adjusted to form filaments that were subsequently used in a 3D printer. The parameters of the printing process were adjusted to achieve the production of flat prototypes. These prototypes were characterized by Digital Optical Microscopy. The degree of homogeneity of the prototypes and the working ranges for the graphene material concentrations were determined. Even though the characterizations were done in flat samples, 3D printing allows obtaining a great diversity of structure that broadens the diversity of applications for such kind of composite materials.