TY - JOUR
T1 - Spin-Printing of Liquid Crystal Polymer into Recyclable and Strong All-Fiber Materials
AU - Gantenbein, Silvan
AU - Mascolo, Chiara
AU - Houriet, Caroline
AU - Zboray, Robert
AU - Neels, Antonia
AU - Masania, Kunal
AU - Studart, André R.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Fiber-reinforced polymers are widely used as lightweight materials in aircraft, automobiles, wind turbine blades, and sports products. Despite the beneficial weight reduction achieved in such applications, these composites often suffer from poor recyclability and limited geometries. 3D printing of liquid crystal polymers into complex-shaped all-fiber materials is a promising approach to tackle these issues and thus increase the sustainability of current lightweight structures. Here, we report a spin-printing technology for the manufacturing of recyclable and strong all-fiber lightweight materials. All-fiber architectures are created by combining thick print lines and thin spun fibers as reinforcing elements in bespoke orientations. Through controlled extrusion experiments and theoretical analyses, we systematically study the spinning process and establish criteria for the generation of thin fibers and laminates with unprecedented mechanical properties. The potential of the technology is further illustrated by creating complex structures with unique all-fiber architectures and mechanical performance.
AB - Fiber-reinforced polymers are widely used as lightweight materials in aircraft, automobiles, wind turbine blades, and sports products. Despite the beneficial weight reduction achieved in such applications, these composites often suffer from poor recyclability and limited geometries. 3D printing of liquid crystal polymers into complex-shaped all-fiber materials is a promising approach to tackle these issues and thus increase the sustainability of current lightweight structures. Here, we report a spin-printing technology for the manufacturing of recyclable and strong all-fiber lightweight materials. All-fiber architectures are created by combining thick print lines and thin spun fibers as reinforcing elements in bespoke orientations. Through controlled extrusion experiments and theoretical analyses, we systematically study the spinning process and establish criteria for the generation of thin fibers and laminates with unprecedented mechanical properties. The potential of the technology is further illustrated by creating complex structures with unique all-fiber architectures and mechanical performance.
KW - 3D printing
KW - additive manufacturing
KW - fused filament fabrication
KW - polymer technology
KW - structural materials
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85115874871&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/adfm.202104574
DO - 10.1002/adfm.202104574
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85115874871
SN - 1616-301X
VL - 31
JO - Advanced Functional Materials
JF - Advanced Functional Materials
IS - 52
M1 - 2104574
ER -