Effect of cryogenic treatment on microstructure and properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene Available to Purchase

In order to improve the mechanical behavior of polymer materials for three-dimensional printing. acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) samples are divided into five groups, based on different degrees of cryogenic treatment. A hydraulic universal testing machine is used to test the samples’ tensile properties, percent elongation and bending strength, while each sample’s wear performance is tested by using a tribometer. In addition, the functional groups and the internal molecular chain in every sample are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experimental results show that cryogenic treatment is an effective technique for the enhancement of the mechanical properties of ABS, such as its tensile strength, bending strength, wear performance and crystallinity. Particularly, the mechanical properties of ABS are improved after cryogenic treatment at −130°C for 4 h. The tensile strength is improved by 6·31 MPa, 93% higher than that of unprocessed samples. The bending strength is improved by 2·46 MPa, and the wear performance significantly exceeds that of the other groups.