Additive manufacturing of functional polymer-based composite with enhanced mechanoluminescence (ZnS:Mn) performance. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akintola, Tawakalt Mayowa; Tran, Phong; Lucien, Charissa; Dickens, Tarik
• Is Part Of: Journal of composite materials. Volume 54:Number 22(2020)
• Page Start: 3181
• Page End: 3188
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing -- polymer -- manganese-doped zinc-sulphide -- polymer-matrix composite -- triboluminescence -- mechanoluminescence; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998320911975
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9983

Abstract

Triboluminescence (TL) is a phenomenon of light emission induced by impact, stress, fracture, or an applied mechanical force. This phenomenon can be used to detect, evaluate, and predict mechanical failures in composites. In this report, we utilized manganese-doped zinc-sulphide (ZnS: Mn) and Polystyrene (PS) composite to fabricate a TL functional part via additive manufacturing. The morphology of the particles inside the polymer matrix were studied using scanning electron microscopy and micro CT scan. Thermoanalytical techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were carried out to evaluate the thermal transitions and degradation of the composites. The mechanoluminescence performance of the printed samples is evaluated by three-point flexural test and observed to depend on processing conditions that can be utilized to achieve a strong light signal at different mechanical loads. The polymer composite fabrication and processing reduced particle size, enhanced particle dispersion, and altered the mechanical properties of the polymer to help increase the mechanoluminescence response up to 10 times in the 3D printed parts. The unique mechanoluminescence properties of 3D printed luminescent composite have great potential for structural monitoring applications.