Mechanical Properties and Free Vibration Analysis of Electroplated Abs M30

Improving the mechanical properties of additive manufacturing materials has led to an increase in the use of these materials in industry on an unprecedented scale. Acrylonitrile butadiene styreneM30 (ABS M30) samples were fabricated by the Fused Decomposition manufacturing (FDM) process and then pre-coated with a thin layer of Cr and Cu through the physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. Finally, the samples were electroplated with copper of various thicknesses and an outer nickel layer. Tensile test results showed that with increasing coating thickness, modulus of elasticity, ultimate tensile strength and flexibility increased. The maximum UTS for coated specimens were approximately three times that of uncoated specimens. SEM images of the fracture surface of the specimens after tensile testing showed a decrease in the thickness of the coating due to the plastic deformation of these layers. Lateral vibration of ABS M30 specimens was studied by experimental work and COMSOL program. The effect of coating thickness on the first and second frequencies of the ABS M30 coated sample was not significant compared to its effect on UTS.