Citation:

Peloquin, Derek M., L. Rand, Eric J. Baumann, A. Gitipour, J. Matheson, AND Todd P. Luxton. Variability in the inorganic composition of colored acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene and polylactic acid filaments used in 3D printing. Applied Sciences. MDPI, Basel, Switzerland, 5:10, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-022-05221-7

Impact/Purpose:

Fused filament fabrication is a 3D printing technique that has gained widespread use from homes to schools to workplaces. Thermoplastic filaments, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA), are extruded at temperatures near their respective melting points to fabricate custom designed toys, tools, and equipment. Little has been reported on the inorganic elemental composition and concentrations present in these materials or the methods available for extracting that information. Because the aerosolization of particulates that occurs during the printing process could include inorganic constituents, different digestion methods were assessed to identify the most complete and repeatable extraction practices for the starting materials. The current research presents filaments from five select manufacturers (three to compare polymers and colorants, two to compare metal additives) and illustrates how different digestion preparations resulted in varied concentrations of inorganic elements recovered. A total of 20 filaments were used in this study. Each was digested by four different methods: hot block assisted acid digestion (EPA Method 3050B), microwave assisted acid digestion (EPA Method 3051A), high temperature modified microwave digestion, and high pressure high temperature modified microwave digestion. The resulting solutions were analyzed for elemental composition and concentration using ICP-MS. The high pressure high temperature method was identified as the most robust technique for inorganic element extraction.  Using this technique different comparisons were made between filaments based on the chemical composition and (1) plastic type, (2) manufacturer, (3) color, (4) metal infused filament and (5) theoretical levels of elements that could be present in emissions. 

Description:

Fused filament fabrication is a 3D printing technique that has gained widespread use from homes to schools to workplaces. Thermoplastic filaments, such as acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA), are extruded at temperatures near their respective glass transition temperature or melting point, respectively. Little has been reported on the inorganic elemental composition and concentrations present in these materials or the methods available for extracting that information. Because inorganic constituents may be included in the aerosolized particulates emitted during the printing process, identifying elements that could be present and at what specific concentrations is critical. The objective of the current research is to determine the range of metals present in thermoplastic filaments along with their relative abundance and chemical speciation as a function of polymer type, manufacturer, and color. A variety of filaments from select manufacturers were digested using a range of techniques to determine the optimal conditions for metal extraction from ABS and PLA polymers. 

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