A novel determination of the melt flow index of composite filaments used in extrusion additive manufacturing
Fedor Doronin, Anna Rudakova, Г. О. Рытиков, V. G. Nazarov
Abstract
The article presents an original technique that does not require the use of specialized laboratory equipment for measuring the melt flow rate of a composite filament obtained as a result of bulk modification of the polyethylene terephthalate glycol matrix with shungite and molybdenum disulfide. In the empirical study of the rheological properties of the formed polymer composites, it was found that the rate of filament extrusion through the nozzle (∼∅500 μm) FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) of a 3D printer (Anycubic Mega S) differs significantly from the values of the melt flow index (MFI) measured using an industrial plastometer (IIRT-5). The obtained results must be taken into account when slicing stereolithography (STL) models for the directed control of 3D models extrusion parameters in software's (Cura, Simplify3D or others) to improve the quality of 3D printed products.