Use of 3D printing PLA and ABS materials for fine art. Analysis of composition and long-term behaviour of raw filament and printed parts

Abstract

3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique which involves the physical fabrication of an object from a digital model, by binding thin successive layers to build up the final shape. It was originated in the 1980s and currently is widely available for its use in contemporary sculpture. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is one of the most accessible techniques for artists to carry out their work, turning ABS and PLA into the most commonly thermoplastics used in FDM machines. From an art conservation standpoint, it is essential to know the properties of these materials, as well as the different degradation processes that these polymers may undergo due to the action of the environment.

For this reason, this work aims to characterize samples of ABS and PLA materials, in order to study their initial properties and check whether any chemical, morphological or colorimetric changes have been produced after an accelerated artificial ageing process. Samples were prepared in two forms (filament and printed pieces) and two types of ageing tests were carried out, one under controlled conditions of UV radiation and another one exposed to the action of temperature (T). All samples suffered variations in their properties although no difference was ascertained between the filament and printed forms. The results showed that ABS samples experienced alterations in all analysed properties due to the action of UV and temperature, while PLA samples experienced fewer changes in their properties, resulting the differences more significant after temperature ageing.