Experimental study demonstrates enhanced stiffness, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity in 3D-printed polyurethane composites, indicating potential for flexible electronics.
Key Points
To develop and evaluate carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane filaments across 0 to 20 wt.% loadings for multifunctional 3D-printed components.
Dry-blended thermoplastic polyurethane powder with micron-sized carbon fiber powder at 0 to 20 wt.% loadings.
Extruded the composite powders into functional filaments and fabricated test parts using fused filament fabrication.
Characterized microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal transitions, degradation, dynamic mechanical response, and electrical conductivity across filler loadings.
Carbon fiber incorporation increased surface roughness up to Sa = 36.20 μm, enhanced tensile strength, Young's modulus, and raised hardness to 93.5 at 20 wt.% CF.
Thermogravimetric analysis showed a 14 °C increase in onset decomposition temperature at 20 wt.% CF, alongside altered crystallization behavior in differential scanning calorimetry.
Electrical conductivity demonstrated a percolation threshold between 5 and 10 wt.% CF, reaching 12 S/m at 20 wt.% CF, alongside predicted increases in thermal conductivity from 0.25 to ~0.48 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹.