A study of linear heat transfer gradients on 3D printed specimens

Whilst 3D printing has shown to be extremely popular, little exists in literature regarding the specific thermal behaviour of the finished materials. This study utilises an experiment to look at the variation of temperature gradients across 3D printed specimens, of varying thicknesses. Three materials are tested: an ABS-grade polymer used in Fused Disposition Modelling (FDM), a powder-based material with binder in a binder jetting machine and a resin-based polymer in a Steoreolithography (SLA) machine. The equipment used is to determine linear heat transfer conductivity coefficients for linear sections of materials. Values obtained are based on the one-dimensional heat transfer equation and there often is a high degree of variation of results. However, the gradients can be plotted for different thicknesses and at different powers for steady-state heat transfer conditions. By determining the gradients and thermal conductivity coefficients a better understanding of the component design in terms of thermal properties can be achieved.