Tensile behavior of lightweight foam filament

Abstract

Filaments of high-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) with Glass Microballoons (GMBs) by20, 40 and 60 volume% are developed and studied for tensile characterization. Density of syntactic foam filaments are lower compared to pure HDPE filaments. The syntactic foam filament developed results in weight saving potential of 28% owing to inclusion of hollow GMBs in matrix resin making them suitable for marine applications. Modulus of syntactic foam filaments increases with increasing GMB volume % compared to neat HDPE. Tensile strength of syntactic foams filaments is lower as compared to pure HDPE filament. These developed lightweight filaments can be used for 3D printing of complex geometries. � 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.