Reinforcing 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene by impregnation of methacrylate resin and cellulose nanocrystal mixture: Structural effects and homogeneous properties.

To improve the mechanical properties and reduce the heterogeneous properties of 3D printed materials, a novel structure inspired by wood microstructure was designed. A methacrylate (MA)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) mixture was impregnated into the structure (infill density controllable 3D printed structure) and cured at elevated temperature. The specific tensile strength and modulus increased considerably after impregnation, especially at 80% infill density. The morphology of printed composites indicated that good interfacial adhesion was obtained by impregnation of MA/CNC mixture and curing at elevated temperature. Thermal stability of the printed composites was also improved, as shown by increases in the temperature at maximum rate of weight loss and the glass transition temperature. Nanoindentation measurement showed that the printed sample was more homogeneous, as evidenced by the comparable elastic modulus and hardness at different positions of the sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]