Fused deposition modeling 3D printing of boron nitride composites for neutron radiation shielding
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INVITED PAPER Fused deposition modeling 3D printing of boron nitride composites for neutron radiation shielding Smith Woosley, Nasim Abuali Galehdari, Ajit Kelkar, and Shyam Aravamudhana) Department of Nanoengineering, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401, USA (Received 25 June 2018; accepted 10 August 2018)
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process capable of rapidly building three-dimensional computer-modeled objects. The technology offers an inexpensive and efficient technique to manufacture customized objects with intricate geometries using a simple printing process. However, FDM is currently restricted in application due to a limited availability of functional materials. Research in the field has focused on incorporating functional characteristics into printable polymers to expand application of FDM technology. In this work, neutron radiation shielding was targeted as an addition to FDM materials. By creating a composite material using a thermoplastic polymer matrix and boron nitride additive, neutron shielding of FDM-printed samples was enhanced from 50% attenuation in polymer specimens to 72% in composite specimens. The enhanced functionality of this new material enables FDM technology to be used in the manufacture of aerospace components, where neutron radiation presents a significant hazard.
I. INTRODUCTION
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique used to fabricate polymer objects directly from computer modeled designs. The technology offers an inexpensive and efficient technique to produce customized parts with intricate geometries using a simple printing process. Despite a wide range of potential applications, FDM has been mostly limited to the fabrication of prototype items with no inherent functionality. This limitation has restricted FDM technology innovation and advancement within the 3D printing and manufacturing industries, as it prevents fabrication of complete functional systems. The goal of this work is to utilize a method for improving the functionality of FDM printing through creation of printable composite materials to demonstrate broadened application of the technology through 3D printing of radiation shielding components. The primary reason for the constraint in FDM technology is the limited choice of materials available for printing. Thermoplastic polymers are primarily used for their thermal processability, which is necessitated by the FDM extrusion process.1 Very few commercially available thermoplastic polymers provide functional characteristics beyond printability. For FDM 3D printing to progress to more useful and novel applications and a)
Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected] DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2018.316 J. Mater. Res., 2018
compete with traditional manufacturing techniques, research must focus on imparting functionality into the materials used in the process. One method used to achieve this goa
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