The Impact of Aggressive Conditions on the Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Components Produced Using...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Aging of polymeric materials in aggressive environments is a critical research area.
• Developing durable polymers is essential for sustainable economies and waste reduction.
• Additive manufacturing offers potential for customized polymer components, but their environmental durability requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and quantify degradation mechanisms of additively manufactured polymers in marine environments.
• To analyze the impact of seawater corrosion on mechanical and rheological properties.
• To evaluate the performance of recycled polylactide (rPLA) and wood-polymer composites (WPC) under marine exposure.

Main Methods:

• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) used for material fabrication.
• Exposure of rPLA and WPC samples to simulated marine environments for nine months.
• Quantitative analysis of changes in molecular weight, tensile strength, and elastic modulus.

Main Results:

• rPLA showed a 16% decrease in molecular weight, 37% reduction in tensile strength, and 24% decrease in elastic modulus.
• WPC exhibited a 20% decrease in molecular weight, 30% reduction in tensile strength, and 51% drop in elastic modulus.
• Both materials demonstrated significant degradation, indicating susceptibility to marine conditions.

Conclusions:

• Additively manufactured biodegradable polymers, including rPLA and WPC, are susceptible to degradation in aggressive marine environments.
• Quantitative data highlights the need for material optimization for long-term performance in maritime and coastal applications.
• Further research is necessary to enhance the durability and extend the service life of these polymers in marine settings.