3-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING WITH SHAPE MEMORY POLYMERS

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Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technology. FDM, also known as 3-Dimensional (3D) printing, is a rapidly growing technology with numerous applications around the world. The majority of companies work with FDM Machines design and test their machines to work with thermoplastic Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or Polylactic Acid (PLA) filaments. It is however crucial to utilize different types of filaments for broader range of applications with different mechanical property requirements. This is especially important for industries that have not currently realized the potential advantages that 3D printing technology may bring to their businesses, such as biomedical sector and mold production for iron sand casting plants. Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are one important family of polymers that have great potential to be used as 3D printing filaments. These smart polymers can store a temporary shape and restore their original shape upon application of an external stimulus, such as heat or light. Currently, SMPs are utilized in a broad range of applications including biomedical and textile industry. Machina Corp., an Alberta based Canadian company, is interested in producing and using thermoplastic SMPs as filaments in 3D printing applications as commercially it has never been done before. It is crucial for the company to achieve high quality and consistent end-products; therefore, the company strongly believes that investigating the production and potential use of SMPs in 3D printing applications is best done via a properly guided research project that reveals a fundamental understanding of use the of SMPs in 3D printing. The proposal deals with two main concepts, (1) production of continuous and high quality SMP filaments from SMP pellets using an extruder, and (2) thermomechanical characterization of 3D printed SMP materials. It is crucial that Canadian-owned companies develop cutting-edge technology and products in this sector to keep their strategically important worldwide market share. The proposed work is a an important step towards this end-goal of the company.