Asee peer logo

BOARD # 12: MAKER: The Impact of Post-Processing in Nanoparticle-Infused Material Extrusion Process

Download Paper |

Conference

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Publication Date

June 22, 2025

Start Date

June 22, 2025

End Date

August 15, 2025

Conference Session

Make It! Manufacturing Division Poster Session

Tagged Division

Manufacturing Division (MFG)

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/55518

Paper Authors

Download Paper |

Abstract

Material extrusion (MEX) is a well-known additive manufacturing (AM) technique used to create 3D objects by extruding semi-molten thermoplastic materials from a heated nozzle or nozzles onto a platform. This technique is commonly used, and it is a low-cost fabrication solution for several practitioners. Lately, fiber-infused MEX has been gaining popularity due to its advantages in being lightweight and high strength compared to traditional polymers. Adding nanoparticles even makes this process more unique and it is a new direction for several recent AM studies. The study aims to investigate and fulfill critical goal in nano level MEX technology. This study explores the mechanical behavior of components produced by this technology, that focuses on both virgin polymers and those infused with nanoparticles which are Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). A key finding of this study involves formulating the influence of post-processing techniques, such as annealing, vapor smoothing, and different epoxy coatings on mechanical characterizations of the base polymer matrix. Adding a post-processing step like annealing improves the mechanical properties of polymer by reducing internal stresses and enhancing the crystallinity of material, while vapor smoothing refines and improves surface finish by reducing visible layer lines generated during 3D printing, both techniques improve mechanical performance and aesthetic representation of printed parts. This study includes the effects of pre-and post-processing techniques at the micro level and the determination of different carbon weight percentages in composites to maintain agglomeration. Overall, this present research study will contribute to the overall understanding and analysis of the different MEX parameters and also lead to the development of reliable and efficient techniques that enable the production of high-quality printed products with improved dimensional, mechanical, surface and structural integrity. This presentation will report the current findings of the research with the real-world samples post-processed with these three techniques.

(2025, June), BOARD # 12: MAKER: The Impact of Post-Processing in Nanoparticle-Infused Material Extrusion Process Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/55518

ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2025 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015