Fused Filament Fabrication of Bio-Based Polyether-Block-Amide Polymers (PEBAX) and Their Related Properties.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Poly(ether-block-amide) (Pebax) is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) known for tunable properties.
• Pebax copolymers offer adjustable rigidity without plasticizers or additives.
• Pebax®Rnew® grades are bio-based, derived from castor beans, enabling sustainable applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the applicability of Pebax polymers in fused filament fabrication (FFF).
• To characterize processing parameters, filament extrusion, and 3D printing performance of selected Pebax grades.
• To determine the mechanical characteristics and inter-material adhesion for complex part design.

Main Methods:

• Selection and characterization of two distinct Pebax polymer grades.
• Filament extrusion process optimization for 3D printing.
• Fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing of test specimens.
• Evaluation of mechanical properties and inter-layer adhesion strength.

Main Results:

• Both selected Pebax grades demonstrated suitability for FFF processing.
• Improved process stability was observed due to reduced shear thinning.
• Good mechanical performance and significant inter-material connection strength were achieved.

Conclusions:

• Pebax polymers are viable materials for fused filament fabrication.
• The ability to tailor material properties allows for the creation of parts with specific soft or rigid regions.
• Combining different Pebax grades in a single design is a promising approach for advanced additive manufacturing applications, with adhesion strengths comparable to the material's inherent Z-direction strength.