Análise da degradação de componentes em poliamida 12 fabricados por manufatura aditiva quando submersos em água salgada

Abstract

The use of polymer materials manufactured through Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the oil and gas sector is sparking growing interest due to its potential advantages and innovative applications. Among the polymers used in AM, polyamide 12 (PA12) stands out due to its mechanical properties and wide range of melting and crystallization temperatures. However, studies on the application of PA12 in subsea technologies within the oil and gas sector are still limited, making it relevant to analyze the performance of polymeric materials in immersed environments. The primary objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of immersion in saline water on the mechanical properties of PA12 in samples printed using the Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology. Initially, specimens for tensile, flexural, compressive and impact tests were printed and subjected to immersion in saline water at low temperatures for different time periods. After each time interval, the specimens were visually inspected, their masses were measured, and they underwent mechanical testing and analyses using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Following the tests and analyses, degradation due to hydrolysis was identified, leading to an increase in elongation at break, along with a decrease in the modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, and compressive strength. Furthermore, a reduction in impact strength was observed only at the end of the 84-day period, which could be a consequence of the slight increase identified in crystallinity.